**Pembrokeshire Couple Secure Right to Keep Cherished Holiday Cabin Amid Planning Debate**
A couple’s long-standing connection to a timber holiday cabin in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park faces a new chapter, following a recent planning decision that confirms its status as seasonal holiday accommodation. Graham and Lauris Ashton, who have cherished their retreat at 33 Timber Hill, Broad Haven for five decades, can now continue to enjoy the cabin as generations of their family have done since 1975.
Their application, lodged with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, sought formal recognition and retention of the wooden dwelling as a holiday let, after questions were raised over its official permitted use. The cabin is located within a family-run park noted for its distinctive Canadian cedar-wood lodges, a popular feature amid the rugged scenery and coastal beauty of one of Wales’ most sought-after destinations for holidaymakers.
According to supporting documents submitted by the Ashtons, the use of their cabin has always aligned with the stipulations set out in their lease agreement. Specifically, the lease permits occupancy for nine months each year, with the remaining months set aside as a closed season. The applicants asserted that this arrangement has been reliably maintained for more than ten years, faithfully respecting the site owner’s rules.
However, the planning history of the site offers a complex backdrop. When the park was first proposed as a caravan site in 1969, permission was granted with strict occupancy limitations. Yet, an administrative oversight by local authorities allowed these constraints to lapse when the site transitioned to house cedar-wood lodges in subsequent years. This omission led to uncertainty over the legal use of the cabins within the development and contributed to the current need for clarification.
The application highlighted that the timber construction of the cabin makes full-year occupancy impractical. The structure lacks elements required for a permanent residence under building regulations—making it unsuitable for comfortable or lawful winter living. For this reason, the Ashtons made it clear that their intention was not to seek permission for full-time residential use, but rather to secure their right to continue using the property as seasonal holiday accommodation.
Planning officers reviewing the case agreed with the applicants’ arguments, noting that the ongoing use of the cabin would not present any new land use issues or require material changes to the site. The planning committee ultimately decided to approve the request, albeit on the condition that the cabin remains strictly a seasonal let, mirroring the terms detailed in the original lease. They recommended that a formal condition be added to the planning consent, limiting occupation to the already established period.
The case demonstrates the complexities often faced by long-time holiday home owners when administrative discrepancies arise, and how local authority decisions and historic errors can have enduring consequences. For the Ashtons, the outcome also stands as a testament to the value placed by families on continuity, heritage, and the simple pleasures offered by regular escapes to the Welsh coast.
Local residents and users of the park have voiced varying opinions regarding the situation, highlighting a wider debate about the balance between preserving the spirit of seasonal retreat and respecting planning regulations meant to maintain the special qualities of the national park. Many believe the solution reached is fair and respects both the personal history involved and the principle of good land management.
As Pembrokeshire continues to attract both holidaymakers and those interested in second homes, the episode serves as a timely reminder of the need for careful governance and transparent record-keeping. The National Park Authority, in this case, opted for a resolution that prioritises established usage and the sustainable enjoyment of its cherished landscapes.
The Ashtons’ cabin, now securely recognised for holiday use, will doubtless continue to be a place of fond memories for the family and an enduring symbol of the changing relationship between people, planning, and the natural beauty of Pembrokeshire.