Fresh plans for a traveller site on the outskirts of Saundersfoot continue to be objected to by local residents of the seaside village.

An application for the creation of a traveller site of one static caravan, one touring caravan, day/utility room and ecological enhancements (partly retrospective) on land at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane has been twice refused by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA), but a third planning application will be determined by the authority.

However, over a period of more than 10 years, nearby residents state that they have witnessed the complete clearance of broadleaved woodland on a piece of land squeezed tightly between a popular footpath for tourists and walkers and the rear gardens of properties on Incline Way.

A spokesperson for some of those objecting told the Observer: “Despite calls for intervention on multiple occasions over the years, three successive owners have reduced a previously rich area of woodland, full of wildlife into a parcel of flat scrub, bounded by hundreds of metres of fencing.

“Two years ago the latest owner of the land uprooted the remaining trees, excavated the land, sited a static caravan and shed without permission on the land, fully fenced it and erected gates and a large Keep Out notice.”

Objectors state, that despite an enforcement notice, the owner [currently living outside of Pembrokeshire] has continued intermittently to occupy the site and carry out landscaping work through two successive planning refusals.

On two occasions, Saundersfoot Community Council has unanimously voted to object to the development, supported by a 300-signature petition from residents of the seaside village.

The spokesperson continued: “The land is outside of the development area of the village, is in the National Park, has no permission for connections to mains water or sewerage and is fully visible to both walkers and neighbouring properties from all sides, thoroughly transforming the nature and character of this area.

“Ecological consultations during the planning process have identified the loss of habitat previously used by badgers, foxes, small mammals and even Otters, meaning that wildlife has now been squeezed into a narrow corridor only a few metres wide along the back gardens of Incline Way.

“The ecological report requirement to plant more than 400 trees to return the site to its previous natural state indicates the scale of habitat loss, though the current owner denies carrying out much of the woodland clearance and alleges that most had been done by the previous owners from whom he purchased the land.

An application for the creation of a traveller site of one static caravan, one touring caravan, day/utility room and ecological enhancements (partly retrospective) on land at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane has been twice refused by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA), but a third planning application will be determined by the authority.
An application for the creation of a traveller site on land at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane has been twice refused by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA), but a third planning application will be determined by the authority. (Saundersfoot objectors)

“A few weeks ago the owner cleared his caravans and equipment from the site under threat of enforcement and residents sensed that things may eventually return to normal.

“However, last week the same owner illegally re-sited his static caravan once more, meaning that the site is now in criminal breach of the enforcement notice, with legal powers for criminal proceedings resting with the PCNPA.

“With a third, almost identical, planning application due for consideration by the PCNPA committee on October 21, residents are increasingly concerned and distressed that this once beautiful piece of natural woodland in the heart of the National Park may never be restored to its natural state.

"The community feels completely let down. We have spent years quietly engaging with the democratic planning system, presenting factual objections regarding National Park, ecological and environmental impact. Twice planning has been refused, and the enforcement notice has been allowed to run for more than two years.

“For the site now to be reoccupied illegally, completely bypassing the enforcement notice, makes a mockery of the entire process. We need the PCNPA to act decisively. If this can happen here in the National Park, what precedent does it set for the rest?” they added.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The planning Application (reference: NP/26/0407/FUL) will be determined by PCNPA at a later date. Anyone wishing to comment on the plans can email: [email protected]