A call to allow a Pembrokeshire agricultural building to be used as a public gym and what is believed to be the first Padel courts in the county have been given the go-ahead.

In two separate applications recommended for approval at the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Harvey and Fraser Jones sought permission for a change of use of an agricultural building to commercial Padel courts and a retrospective change of use of an agricultural building to a commercial gymnasium, both at Kiln Park Farm, Kiln Park Road, Narberth.

Padel is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash.

An officer report for the two applications said: “Kiln Park Farm is a rural holding situated approximately 70 metres south of Narberth, positioned in the countryside and outside any defined settlement boundary. The farmstead consists of two substantial former agricultural barns positioned around an area of established hardstanding, historically associated with agricultural operations. Vehicular access is obtained from Kiln Park Road, a narrow rural lane serving scattered farmsteads and dwellings.”

For the gym plans it said: “The application seeks retrospective planning permission for: change of use of Barn 1 to a gym space including CrossFit, boxing and power-lifting zones, change of use of Barn 2 to ancillary facilities including changing rooms, showers, toilets, plant room and physio room, use of a shed for physiotherapy and storage purposes, external alterations including cladding upgrades, roller shutters, doors, and native species planting, use of existing hardstanding for 35 parking spaces.”

For the two indoor padel courts, it said: “No extension to the building is proposed and the overall scale and appearance of the building would remain largely unchanged. The facility would operate between 6am and 11pm daily, with booking managed online.”

For both schemes it concluded: “The proposal represents an appropriate re-use of existing agricultural buildings for a leisure use, supporting rural diversification and providing social and economic benefits.

“It is well-related to Narberth and does not result in unacceptable impacts on the countryside, residential amenity, highway safety, biodiversity or flood risk.”

Speaking at the meeting, Harvey Jones said the gym had a “community-based ethos,” and of the padel courts: “Padel is the fastest growing sport in the world at the moment, we thought it would be good to bring it to Pembrokeshire, we are the only courts this side of Swansea and have proved to be working very well so far.

“It’s amazing for friends and family to get together and socialise, and also very good for mental health as well.”

Both applications were unanimously approved by committee members.

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