A call to allow a Pembrokeshire field to remain as a seasonal car park used by visitors and boat-trippers has been given the go-ahead by the National Park.

In a certificate of lawfulness application to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Mr and Mrs Smithies, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought to retain the use of the field on land south of an existing National Trust car park at Martins Haven, Marloes.

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

A supporting statement said of the 100-space seasonal car park: “The evidence provided seeks to demonstrate that the field has been used as a car park for over 10 years and therefore constitutes lawful development. The site comprises a field approximately 3km from the village of Marloes and directly to the south of the Martin’s Haven National Trust car park. “

It added: “The parking seeks to mirror that of the parking arrangement of the National Trust car park. The car park is mainly used by visitors of the area, those going on day trips via boat (including trips to Skomer Island) and walkers of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The field is used as an overflow car park from the National Trust site, to ensure no cars park on the narrow access road.

“With the popularity of Pembrokeshire and Skomer Island increasing year on year this extra car parking is vital to ensure continued road safety for the area, as the National Trust car park cannot serve all visitors, especially in the peak months.

“This application is supported by a range of evidence to demonstrate that the portion of the field within this application has been utilised as a car park, without interruption (with a small decrease in use during 2020 due to Covid-19) for over 10 years.”

It said photographic evidence showed the car park in use from 2011-’24, with Trip Advisor reviews in 2014, 2021 and 2022 noting the use of the car park, and public liability insurance in place from 2013; the policy still valid.

An officer report recommending approval said the park “is satisfied that the evidence accompanying the application is sufficient to establish that the existing use is lawful”.

Planners supported the recommendation of a certificate of lawfulness being issued.