A scheme for a star-gazing wellness retreat in Pembrokeshire has been turned down by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Gayle Mcfarlane sought permission for the conversion and redevelopment of existing agricultural buildings, hard standing and associated land at Trewallter Llwyd, Mathry to create a small-scale rural wellness retreat including yoga and wellness facilities, treatment rooms, a spa garden, wellness domes, along with associated works.

The application site forms part of a former agricultural holding at Trewallter Farm, some 1.3km west of Mathry.

A site-related application for the conversion and extension of a barn to provide ancillary accommodation and home office in connection with the main dwelling has recently been approved.

A supporting statement accompanying the retreat application said the application sought “a high-quality, low-impact rural enterprise centred on wellbeing, nature connection and immersive dark skies experiences ‘Nightfall’,” adding: “The development will support sustainable rural tourism and is fundamentally shaped by — and reliant upon — the environmental qualities of its countryside location.”

It goes on to say: “The scheme is conceived as a nature-led retreat, where landscape, tranquillity and environmental quality form the core of the visitor experience rather than a secondary backdrop.

“The Nightfall [stargazing domes] element is a defining component, delivering curated, small-scale experiences focused on stargazing and astronomy-based interpretation; mindfulness, relaxation and wellbeing; low-intensity, pre-booked group sessions.

“These experiences are inherently dependent on environmental conditions that can only be achieved within a rural setting, including genuine dark skies and minimal artificial lighting, a quiet and undisturbed environment, a direct relationship with the surrounding landscape.

“The proposal is therefore fundamentally location-specific; its function and authenticity rely on these characteristics and could not be replicated within a settlement or urban context without undermining its purpose.”

It says the scheme is part of a wider ‘Seren Dawel’ [silent star] retreat concept; phase one focusing on the core wellness retreat and Nightfall experiences; a later stage, subject to financing and business growth, to include “two sensitively sited woodland cabins and the conversion of an existing barn to provide small-scale accommodation”.

It adds of the later phase: “A modest restaurant and integrated retail element will also be introduced as ancillary components to support the primary wellness use.”

An officer report recommending refusal said: “The supporting information suggests the proposed domes would utilise the tranquillity of the rural setting with some opportunities for viewing the night sky as part of the visitor experience.

“Images provided to support the proposed domes show dining and wellness uses, with a mention of stargazing experiences.

“Whilst this element would require a rural setting, the alternative uses set out in the supporting information such as wellness, yoga and dining uses would enhance the attractiveness of the experiences offered within the domes (notwithstanding the stargazing element), no justification has been advanced in support of the application to demonstrate that a countryside location is essential for the remaining uses proposed as part of the scheme, which do not rely on the night sky or nightfall experience which would require the rural setting.”

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The application was refused on the grounds of that “whilst it is acknowledged that the rural location enhances the attractiveness of the development, and the scheme in part complies [with policy], the scheme lacks robust justification demonstrate that the proposed use requires a countryside location.”