Plans to redevelop a popular campsite at Newgale are being recommended for refusal, with increased risk of future flooding at the site, being one of the main reasons.

The planning application submitted by agents Hayston Development & Planning Ltd on behalf of the applicants Mr and Mrs Harris to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, are proposing the demolition of existing toilets and shower block and removal of touring caravans for reception to an alternative site outside the flood zone with room for expansion.

The application is seeking to a replacement toilets and showers block, along with a reception/office and meeting room, and the creation of 12 grass tent plateaus (retrospect).

The erection of a security CCTV flagpole, and the conversion of relinquished public toilet block into a takeaway cafe and ice cream parlour also form part of the plans.

This is a revised application following an application in 2020 which was refused under delegated powers.

The existing camp site located alongside the A487 which runs immediately behind the shingle bank of Newgale beach, is well known for significant and continuous flooding in the winter months and the adjacent shingle ridge is regularly breached by the sea in stormy conditions.

Pembrokeshire County Council has recently commenced preparations to realign the A487 a significant distance inland following detailed studies that show that the shingle bank has a limited lifespan, following which it will retreat eastwards into what is currently the campsite.

A large part of the existing campsite lies within a C2 flood zone and within a Coastal Change Management Area, with any development in this location likely to have a limited lifespan due to the predicted risk of inundation from the sea and consequent flooding of this land.

The planning statement submitted as part of the application acknowledges both the current flooding and the increased risk of flooding in the future.

The National Trust have registered their objection to both the design and scale of the proposed building and to the principle of development within the flood zone; whilst Natural Resources Wales have put forward their concerns that inadequate information has been provided in support of the proposal.

In a report that is set to go before members of PCNPA’s development management committee, planning case officer Kate Attrill recommend refusals for the plans, stating: “The bulk, scale and form of the proposed replacement building and CCTV camera are considered to represent incongruous and unsympathetic features in this sensitive landscape.

“The proposed ice cream parlour conversion is in a flood risk zone where the risk of flooding is predicted to increase.

“The proposal is also contrary to the adopted Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Local Development Plan policy - that requires non-residential development in a coastal change management area to demonstrate that there will be no significant risk to property.

“When considered as a whole - the proposal fails to comply with a number of key policies of the LDP and the principle of the development as currently proposed is not supported,” she added.

Members of PCNPA’s development management committee will determine the applications when they meet on Wednesday, February 1.