Pembrokeshire wellbeing centre gets new assembly building

Plans for a new assembly building at a Pembrokeshire wellbeing centre have been approved, replacing a shed that has fallen into disrepair.

Urdd Gobaith Cymru, represented by Spencer Pughe Associates Ltd, applied to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to demolish a barn and build a multipurpose assembly building at Canolfan yr Urdd Pentre Ifan, Felindre Farchog.

The barn is part of Canolfan yr Urdd Pentre Ifan, an outdoor wellbeing centre run by Urdd Gobaith Cymru.

Canolfan yr Urdd Pentre Ifan provides rural residential stays “for youth groups, schools, and adults, with a strong focus on environmental education, sustainability, and wellbeing,” according to the application’s supporting statement.

It added: “The proposed development will provide additional assembly space, dining capacity, and modern sleeping accommodation, enabling the centre to expand its educational and wellbeing offer while relocating sleeping accommodation from the existing listed hall into more appropriate, modern facilities.”

It said the shed “has historically been used by the applicant as a covered outdoor area for activities, however having fallen into disrepair and extent of corrosion now affecting the slender steel frame elements, it can no longer be used”.

The building would provide “flexible spaces to support assemblies, dining, and specialist activities such as a planetarium”.

An officer’s report recommending approval said concerns about the initial design had led to revised application details.

Nevern Community Council also raised concerns that the scheme encroached on a bridleway.

However, it said the Park’s public rights of way officer had received no objections to the development on those grounds.

Nevern also raised concerns in relation to the building not integrating well with the remainder of the site.

“If the building were proposed to be re-located, closer to the group located further south, it is possible that the setting of the three Grade-II-listed buildings [on site] would be impacted upon, which should be avoided,” the report said.

It added: “The Authority is satisfied that the proposed building’s siting is acceptable. Overall, the proposal is deemed to be in accordance with the relevant policies and guidelines, and as such, a recommendation to grant permission is made.”

Park planners approved the application subject to conditions.

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