A retired former bank worker and administrative clerk will be allowed to stay at her late farming parents’ Pembrokeshire home despite being in breach of an agricultural worker-only condition.

Ms Pamela Griffiths, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought permission for a Certificate of Lawful Development, having occupied bungalow Maes Yr Awel, Eglwyswrw, near Crymych in breach of an agricultural worker only condition for a period of time in excess of 10 years.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to stay at a development if they can provide proof of occupancy over a prolonged period.

A supporting statement to Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The dwelling was constructed in 1992 and has been occupied in breach of the occupancy restriction since February 2014, on the death of the applicant’s mother. As such a Certificate of Lawful Development is sought to establish the lawfulness of the use.”

It added: “The dwelling was substantially complete in 1992 and first occupied 28th January 1992. Mr EC and Mrs ME Griffiths were farmers and were the original occupiers of the property, together with their daughter, Ms P Griffiths, the applicant.

“There is no dispute that the condition was originally complied with by the applicants’ mother and father, but on the death of the applicants’ parents the applicant became the sole resident and has not been solely or mainly employed in agriculture at any time.

“Mr EC and Mrs ME Griffiths were originally employed in agriculture on the adjoining farm, Cippyll y Gwynt, and this holding was indeed the original justification for the property. Mr and Mrs Griffiths continued to farm until Mr Griffiths became ill in 1998.

“Cippyll was subsequently managed by the applicant’s brother, son of Mr EC and Mrs ME Griffiths. The farm has been in sperate ownership for years and there is no agricultural land associated with the application property.”

It added: “The applicant has occupied the property since substantial completion and has been the sole occupier since 2014. The applicant was employed at Midland Bank from 1973 to July 1997, was an administrative clerk for the Farmer’s Union of Wales from 1997 to 2008 and was an administrative assistant at Three C’s Caravans Crymych (Carafanau Crwydrol Crymych Cyf) from 2008 to 2018 before retiring.”

It went on to say: “In light of the above it is clear that the occupancy restriction has not been complied with since 2014 and that the condition has been continually breached in excess of 10 years. Furthermore, Ms P Griffiths continues to occupy the property and therefore the breach exists at the time of the application.”

An officer recommendation of approval agreed with the continuous period occupation in breach, and a certificate of lawfulness was issued by county planners.