A CALL to convert a former Pembrokeshire farmhouse and guesthouse into housing units has been given the go-ahead by county planners.
In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Dan Hildebrand, through agent GMW Design, sought approval for the subdivision of Torbant Farmhouse, Croesgoch, near Haverfordwest, to form four residential units.
A supporting statement through Johnston Planning on behalf of the applicant and agent said: “The property has historically been run as a successful guesthouse for a number of years but has recently come under new ownership. The new owner wishes to maximise the potential of the existing residential floor space through the subdivision of this generous property into four units.”
It added: “Whilst the intention is to utilise the subdivided property for residential purposes due regard is given to the 2022 changes to the use class order which in effect created new residential classes for new developm A ent in an effort to control unrestricted holiday uses in sensitive locations.
“As such a ‘free use’ is sought within use classes C3 (use as a sole/main residence), C5 (use as otherwise as a sole/main residence) and C6 (use as a commercial short term let).
“These proposed uses, which are considered to be reasonable and to be fully compliant with current planning policy (especially when one has regard to the existing use) will provide the owner with flexibility in terms of proposed occupation. Ensuring full and meaningful use of the property in the future.”
It said the property was once part of Torbant Farm, now been broken up into a number of separate properties, including Torbant Caravan Park immediately to the north.
It added the works to the property “are minimal and will have a negligible impact externally,” adding: “Internally whilst the layout will alter marginally no structural works to the property are proposed.
“In character terms therefore, there will be no discernible physical impact either to the dwelling itself or to the wider locality.”
Six objections to the scheme were received, raising concerns including harm to visual and residential amenity, ecological impact, infrastructure constraints, and claimed inaccuracies in the submitted application, as well as the application overstating available parking space “which would encroach onto shared access areas, causing obstruction and conflict between users”.
An officer report recommending approval said the scheme was amended to move car parking provision within land under the applicant’s control.
It concluded the scheme represented “an efficient use of the existing building stock,” and it “would not result in any external alterations to the host building and would not give rise to unacceptable harm to the character or appearance of the building or its wider rural setting nor the residential amenities of neighbouring occupiers”.
The application was conditionally approved by county planners.
