Retrospective plans to change a Pembrokeshire car sales/valet area to include a barber shop and tanning salon have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Zizo Barbers & Affordable Cars, of Cambrian Place, Haverfordwest sought permission for the change of use of previously granted valet and car sales area, the works completed in 2024.

A supporting statement through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd said the former commercial garage business has been operating in several guises from the premises for many years and has included petrol sales, motor servicing and repairs, MoTs, vehicle valeting, car sales and customer parking.

This followed on from a 2011 permission for the partial demolition of the original commercial garage, with a later approval for the site refurbishment to provide a workshop, valeting and offices for the existing car sales.

A supporting statement said: “The proposed update to a change of use involves the replacement of a car valeting service, which took place under a covered area at the rear of the site by a wash and valet operation – and restricting this service to those cars being sold at the Cambrian Place site. The use of a former office / store as a barber shop.

“The use of the former customer waiting area as a tanning salon including a new moveable timber shed for use as a meet and greet facility and as a car sales office. Provision of a communal parking area. Whilst retaining the principal use of the site for the sale of used cars.

“It is therefore suggested that the proposal will reduce both the elements of noise and the generation of dust whilst improving air quality as substantially fewer cars being power washed and valeted as well as the visual impact of these activities in this very public location – and with adjacent residential properties.”

Haverfordwest Town Council had objected to the scheme on highway safety grounds, but an officer report recommending approval said: “Highways colleagues have advised that the mixed use at the site is not likely to generate a significant number of trips that would lead to congestion and/or road safety issues due to the hours of operation are suggestive of visitors in the non-peak hours over the course of the day.

“In addition, highways colleagues have confirmed recorded accident history is negligible at the site, with one accident in 2023 at the nearby junction as a result of a rear shunt.”

It also said that, as the site lies adjacent to the A40(T) Welsh Government as a highway authority were consulted on the application, but has not not issued a direction in respect of this application.

One letter of objection had also raised issues of traffic and highway safety, chemical and detergent waste from the site and occasional activity after 5pm.

The report said the cessation of the valeting/washing use will reduce water usage at the site and any activity outside normal hours was an enforcement matter.

The application was conditionally approved by officers.