A call to convert a ticket office to a home at a former Pembrokeshire railway line which closed more than 60 years ago has been granted by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr James, through agent Harries Planning Design Management sought permission for the conversion of a ticket office into a dwelling, at the old Ticket Office, Station Road, Crymych.

A supporting statement said: “The building used to serve as the ticket office for the Crymych Arms Railway Station serving both the Whitland and Cardigan Railway. The station closed in 1962, with this building becoming disused.

“Since its closure the building has been used as temporary storage by the owner, who has continued to maintain, fix and repair the building to a state where conversion is possible. The ticket office is semi-detached with a dwelling to the north. The ticket office building comprises faced stone elevations and a slate roof.

“Externally, it is served by overgrown green space to the south and concreted areas to the east and west. There are no known environmental or historical designations on site.”

It went on to say: “The dwelling will retain the existing form, with no external extensions proposed. Internally, it is proposed to convert the building into a two-bed dwelling, with an open plan kitchen/living/dining area to provide ample space for modern habitation. Garden space is to be provided to the south and west, with lawned gardens and native beech hedging. External materials will remain as existing for the most part, with the windows replaced with heritage style UPVC sash and the existing chimney removed.”

It concluded: “The proposal seeks to retain the external form of the building to conserve its historic impact within the landscape. The proposal seeks to comply with [planning policy] which places open market housing within the settlement boundary of a service village and for the conversion of a historic building which is not being utilised. Therefore, the principle of development is considered acceptable and will contribute to a positive conversion within the landscape.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.

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The 27-and-a-half-mile-long Whitland and Cardigan Railway branch line, initially called the Whitland and Taf Vale Railway before becoming the Whitland and Cardigan, reached Crymych in 1874 though a passenger service didn’t start until the following year, with an extension to the edge of Cardigan opening in 1886.