Plans for a bungalow behind a Pembrokeshire village shop have been refused by the county council, in part due to concerns about foul waste disposal and no formal affordable housing financial commitment being offered.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Cathy Williams of Bwlchygroes Shop & Farm Feeds sought outline permission for a dormer bungalow in a garden area to the rear of the shop.

An officer report recommending refusal said: “The proposed development would provide new open market housing within the settlement boundary of Bwlchygroes, which would benefit the economy by providing work within the construction industry and generate income for material suppliers and distributors.

“New housing can have both social and environmental benefits in terms of improving the condition and size of housing stock to meet modern needs and improve living conditions and constructing to modern building standards.

“ However, detailed matters considered in the remainder of the report conclude that environmental impacts have not been adequately addressed by the submission, and as such, the development fails to accord [with policy].”

It adds: “Although the proposed residential development would be located in a sustainable location, the applicant has not submitted a Unilateral Undertaking in order to secure a financial contribution towards affordable housing.

“The settlement of Bwlchygroes currently stands at a 10 per cent affordable housing contribution fee for the area, equating to £5,087.50 per proposed dwelling.”

Officer concerns were also raised about the disposal of foul waste, the site being within the catchment of the Afon Teifi Special Area of Conservation (SAC), with “insufficient information has been provided to reasonably conclude that the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the integrity of the SAC”.

The application states that a cesspool would be used for the disposal of foul waste, but, officers say it “fails to provide sufficient information to demonstrate that a package treatment plant is unable to be accommodated”.

It also says: “The application scale parameters, even at the minimum extent, would not appear to leave sufficient room within the site to accommodate an acceptable foul and surface water disposal system”.

The application was refused by planning officers.