Plans to extend a Pembrokeshire veterinary surgery which were previously refused have now been granted.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, IVC Evidensia, through agent Inspire Design Ltd, sought permission for an extension of the Oak Veterinary Surgery, Well Lane, Haverfordwest.

An earlier application was refused last September on the grounds officers considered there was insufficient information and evidence of foul drainage proposals submitted in support of the application to facilitate the completion of an Appropriate Assessment in order to determine the impact on the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation and a lack of information about how the proposal could impact on protected species, namely bats.

Both applications raised no concerns from Haverfordwest Town Council.

An officer report recommending approval for the latest scheme said the plans are “of moderate scale and appear as subservient in form to existing veterinary surgery,” adding: “The proposed alterations are of an acceptable design; the finish materials are deemed appropriate and appropriately match the existing.”

In went on to say the latest application was accompanied a detailed ecology survey which said “there was no evidence of bat emerging from the building on either survey, thus demonstrating sufficient evidence the proposed development will not pose a harmful impact on protected species”.

On the potential impact on the Marine SAC, the report said: “The development is for the extension to existing veterinary practice.

“It is considered that as the existing toilets and proposed toilets and lab/surgery rooms will be used in the main by local residents attending the local veterinary surgery for appointment already served by residential connections to existing public or private sewers discharging within the SAC catchment, the proposed development will not lead to an intensification in nutrient inputs to the SAC.”

The application was conditionally approved.