In a twist of red tape, plans to transform an annexe in Lamphey, Pembrokeshire into a holiday let have hit the brakes, all thanks to some pesky nitrogen rules! At a recent council meeting, the proposal to convert a section of Briardale into holiday accommodation was turned down. The culprit? Concerns over nitrogen discharge into the Milford Haven Inner waterbody, which is part of the precious Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation. Officials have flagged this as an issue, pointing to unfavourable conditions in the water due to chemical and biological hiccups.
Interestingly, this isn’t an isolated incident. A staggering 75% of Pembrokeshire faces similar restrictions, affecting future developments, including around Haverfordwest and Pembroke. The local council has even fired off a letter to the First Minister, expressing their fears over this nitrogen guidance, which has pretty much paused certain developments in the area. It’s a real head-scratcher for those trying to build!
In the latest drama, the owner of Briardale hoped the existing structure, used by relatives for two years, could be converted without ruffling any legal feathers. And with no neighbour complaints, who would have thought it’d hit such a wall? But as the council pointed out, changing the use of the building means new guidelines come into play, and sadly, it looks like this could increase nitrates in the SAC.
The council’s verdict? Refusal, with an overwhelming 11 to one vote. While many sympathised with the applicant’s plight, including councillors Alec Cormack and Alan Dennison, they were bound by the rules. Even a proposal for 50 homes in Pembroke was recently stalled, partly due to this nitrate dilemma. It seems everyone – applicants, agents, builders – is feeling the frustration of navigating these nutrient challenges. Let’s hope for a swift resolution to these environmental hurdles! 🌿🏠
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