Plans for an InPost e-commerce parcel locker service at a Pembrokeshire seaside village have been submitted to the national park.

In an application to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, InPost UK, through agent Skipton-based NL Jones Planning, seeks permission for an InPost Parcel Locker at Bay View Stores, Maes Ewan, Solva.

InPost is an affordable and easy-to-use parcel locker service throughout the UK where you can send and return parcels quickly with contact-free delivery.

A supporting statement says: “In 2024, we delivered 93.2 million parcels across the UK. We partner with a wide range of public and private landowners to host InPost Lockers – from local authorities, transport operators, supermarkets, independent retailers, small medium enterprises, and developers.”

It says e-commerce now accounts for 30 per cent of all retail UK sales, but “while this growth brings consumer convenience, the final leg of delivery – known as the ‘last-mile’ – is putting pressure on our streets and wallets, if all deliveries continue to be delivered to door,” with both more delivery vehicles on the road and “home deliveries more inconvenient and missed parcels more common” as more people return to the office post-Covid.

It adds: “InPost is committed to stimulating economic growth, having announced a further £600 million investment until 2029 bringing our total UK investment to £1 billion – supporting up to 12,000 jobs while boosting national and regional logistics capabilities.

“As a business, we also stimulate the local economy in several ways: Competitive industry leading postage rates – our latest service, Send, allows label-free parcel sending to any InPost locker or home-address from £1.99.

“This service offers substantial new business opportunities often for local small and medium businesses, such as Etsy sellers, offering a more convenient, efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional services.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.