A call to allow a Pembrokeshire seaside ice cream and coffee shop in a former public toilet to be able to sell and pint and a pastie has been given the go-ahead, for the next eight years.

In an application recommended for approval the October 15 meeting of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee, Mike Harris sought permission for a variation of conditions of a previously-granted scheme for an ice cream and coffee shop at The Landsker Line former public toilets, next to Newgale Camping Site.

Approval for the initial scheme was granted by park planners back in 2024, which included an accessible toilet and disabled car parking space.

The applicants have since gained a alcohol licence for the premises from the county council; the application before the park seeking to “regularise the planning position to accord with the licensing situation and enable hot food such as pasties to be sold”.

A report for planners said, however, policy considerations relevant to the original permission at flood-hit Newgale had been revisited and updated Welsh Government policy on flood risk considered.

A report commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council has concluded that the shingle bank at Newgale “will become increasingly unstable and vulnerable to failure, with a likelihood that by 2030 the current situation may become unsustainable,” the report said.

It added: “There is significant uncertainty based on Pembrokeshire Council’s position regarding the highway and shingle bank as to whether or not highway access will be achievable post 2030,” adding: “Based on the previous advice a condition was placed on the existing permission requiring the use to cease in 2034 and the land to be restored. Officers consider that based on the information available, this condition is also necessary once more in relation to this Section 73 application.”

Local community council Nolton and Roch, in its representations, questioned whether there was ever “any intention to operate the property as an ice cream parlour,” saying the earliest promotional posts on social media were about bar prices.

It also stressed the need for a disabled parking space to remain operational, raised concerns about picnic benches being placed along the village’s pebble bank for customer use, and raised concerns about the scale of music events staged by Landsker Line, reporting: “Large numbers of people are gathering on the pebble bank, moving back and forth to the venue which has resulted in disruption, including pebbles being displaced onto the road.”

Speaking at the meeting, applicant Mike Harris thanked the committee for granting the overall scheme in 2024, saying it had transformed the disused building in to “a thriving local business employing 12 local staff in high season,” with greater periods of access to the toilet facilities than ever before.

He disputed claims over noise and disruption, saying there had been “vexatious” complaints about waste, adding the transformation of the building had been “overwhelmingly positive,” adding: “The popularity has exceeded expectations, with local support outside the tourist season, we’re closing only in January and February.”

Members unanimously approved the application.