PLANS to expand facilities at a Pembrokeshire camping and glamping farm which hosts outdoor festivals have been given the go-ahead by Pembrokeshire County Council.
Dewslake Camping Limited, of Dewslake Farm, The Ridgeway, Lamphey, in an application through agent Argent Architects, sought permission for a change of use of the main barn at the farm to provide support facilities for camping and events.
The application was recommended for approval at the June 30 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee.
A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “While remaining a working farm, camping, glamping and facilities for dining and refreshments are among the services provided. Outdoor festivals are held on the site periodically during the summer season.
“The main barn is centrally located within the farm and serves as overflow storage for the various activities and events offered at Dewslake. The campsite’s sanitary facilities are located in temporary structures at the perimeter of this building.
“The applicant wishes to expand the facilities offered on the site. The barn has the spatial capacity to accommodate a range of different events, both commercial and private. The idea is to bring in the operational capacity to service functions and events in the building and on the wider site, in the form of overflow catering, sanitary facilities and office and reception space.”
It says it is intended to create “a building that is inclusive, easy and enjoyable in use for all,” with wheelchair parking in the area currently occupied by the temporary facilities.
It says further expansions to Dewslake are also planned.
“The growing business model requires considerable on-site management and maintenance. The long-term plan is greatly invested in ecological enhancements and trades on this in the marketing approach taken in promoting the campsite.
“This approach requires a particular intensity in the management of the land, which when coupled with the day-to-day running of the campsite, increases the need for a round-the-clock management presence.
“The applicant is therefore intending to make a separate pre-application enquiry for the addition of a permanent farmhouse to serve this function.”
An officer report for planners said: “The proposal involves the comprehensive internal reconfiguration of the building and associated external alterations. The footprint of the existing structure would be largely retained, with development primarily focused on enclosing and extending into an existing open lean-to section along the building’s side (west) elevation.”
Approval was moved by Cllr Alec Cormack, described it as “an excellent use of the building,” with vice-chair of the committee Cllr Simon Hancock describing it as an “excellent application,” which was “entirely appropriate in the site”.
The application for conditional approval was unanimously approved by committee members.
