Plans to extend a Pembrokeshire caravan storage site, previously rejected, have been resubmitted to the Local Authority with improvements to address prior objections.

In an application refused back in September by Pembrokeshire Council, Noel Richards sought permission to extend an existing caravan storage facility at Merrixton House Farm, near Stepaside.

A supporting statement, through agent Gethin Beynon, accompanying the application said: “The main purpose of the extended storage facility is to improve vehicle movements around the existing storage facility and reduce the congested nature of the existing storage site arrangement.

“No members of the public visit the storage facility as for safety and insurance purposes, the owners of the storage facility provide a collection and store service. The extension of the storage facility would add to the efficiency of the operation and diversification of the existing rural enterprise to secure and create additional employment.”

The application was refused on the grounds it “would increase the visual clutter and decrease the positive contribution that the verdant farmland makes to the setting of the [adjoining] Park and Garden,” and, with access from “a narrow unclassified single-track road with the carriageway below the recommended standard for two-way flow,” there is insufficient information provided “in respect of existing and predicted trip generation, swept path analysis and mitigation measures to demonstrate that the impacts on highway safety can be mitigated from the intensification of the caravan storage facility”.

Since then, a fresh scheme has been submitted by the applicant aimed at addressing the previous refusal.

It offers, amongst other changes, to lower the finished level site, planting additional screening, and provides a transport statement “which has demonstrated no material change upon the highway from the resulting development”.

“Based on the above amendments, the development complies with the Pembrokeshire Local Development Plan Adopted 2013 (‘the LDP’) and national planning policy as it would represent a justified form of sustainable development and an appropriate extension to the existing caravan storage business, which would be of a compatible scale and has incorporated biodiversity enhancement features.

“The development would also not result in any significant harmful impacts upon neighbouring amenity or the character of the area or historic environment and offers an environmental and economic benefit. As such, it is considered the scale and nature of the development is compatible with its location.”

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