A call to keep a wedding venue, erected without permission at a Georgian Pembrokeshire hotel whose site once belonged to the Knights Hospitallers, has been given a five-year period of grace.

In a listed building application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Traverse Development Ltd, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought retrospective permission for the temporary retention of a wedding marquee at Slebech Park Restaurant and Rooms, Slebech; works having started back in 2009.

Grade-II*-listed Slebech Park once belonged to the Knights Hospitallers of the order of St John, later becoming the seat of the powerful Barlow family.

The present house was completed in 1776, built by Anthony Keck. This is his largest known house and the biggest Georgian single build in the country.

The grade-II-listed stables, which have the marquee on their eastern terrace, were converted to a hotel, conference centre and restaurant after 2003.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “The proposal seeks to retain the already erected temporary marquee used for weddings to allow the site to continue to host weddings, whilst a permanent solution is developed and approved by planning.

“The marquee will continue to operate as it has for over 10 years, with no changes proposed. The marquee is completely removable without any permanent fixtures.”

It added: “The marquee is only affixed temporarily and will be removed with no damage to any of the listed buildings or the overall site once a permanent solution has been agreed.

“By retaining the marquee in the same location, it ensures that continuation of the site is as existing, reduces the potential impact of moving the marquee to a potentially more harmful site and ensures any ecology is not further disrupted. Once removed the site will return to its historic state.”

An officer report recommending approval said no adverse comments have been received from consultees towards the current proposal, and no third-party representations raising issues relating to listed building matters have been received, the proposed scheme “in keeping with the character of the listed building, and its setting in terms of design and form”.

It added: “Temporary consent for this marquee has been granted on four previous occasions and a letter submitted in support of the current application states that an application for a permanent solution for a wedding venue at Slebech Park is imminent, in line with the original proposals for the terrace restaurant.

“The effect on character and setting is not considered acceptable long-term but short-term retention in the interests of retaining the complex of buildings in viable use (and repair) whilst a suitable permanent solution is found is considered reasonable. As such, the application can be supported for a temporary period subject to conditions.”

The application was approved, conditions including a five-year period of grace.

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