A controversial proposal to establish a new Traveller site on the outskirts of the much-loved Pembrokeshire village of Saundersfoot has been turned down by national park planning authorities. This decision follows considerable public opposition, with local residents voicing a wide range of concerns about the location and appropriateness of the site.
The planning application, submitted by Dai Evans via Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, was intended for Froghall Yard on Moreton Lane. The scheme outlined the provision of a single Traveller residence, comprising a static caravan, a touring caravan, a day room for utility use and ecological improvements. According to the supporting documents, part of the development had already been initiated prior to seeking full planning consent.
At a meeting on 21 May, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee recommended refusal of the plan, a recommendation that members ultimately accepted by a significant margin—13 votes to two, with no outright opposition. The matter had previously been deferred so members could conduct a site visit for further evaluation.
The proposal sparked a significant backlash within the local community, ultimately resulting in a petition against the site, collected by nearly 300 concerned villagers and supported by an official objection from the Saundersfoot Community Council. During a recent and well-attended community council meeting, councillors unanimously voted to reject the idea, with around 50 residents in attendance making their feelings clear.
Saundersfoot Community Council pointed out that the proposed plot is agricultural land that has remained free of caravan usage for over three decades. There were particular concerns over the site’s prominent visibility from Incline Way above, making it hard to shield the development from public view. Committee members warned that permitting this application could create a precedent for similar developments across the national park’s picturesque landscape.
In their formal submission, the council highlighted the lack of a local connection on the part of the applicant, stating: “The applicant lives in Pontypool and claims no connection to the area. There is no rationale as to why the applicant chose a site approximately 100 miles away from their home.”
Documents accompanying the application did attempt to address some concerns, explaining that Mr Evans and his partner, identified as part of a longstanding Romany Gypsy family with a cultural tradition of living in caravans, currently reside on an overcrowded site in Pontypool. It was argued that their current living arrangements do not reflect their cultural preferences and that staying in Saundersfoot would allow them to continue their heritage. Historical use of the land by the Gypsy community during previous decades was noted, with Mr Evans acquiring the property and undertaking refurbishments in 2023.
Despite these arguments, the planning officer’s report concluded that the applicant was not homeless, and already had existing accommodation. As such, only moderate weight was given to the unmet need for Traveller accommodation in Pembrokeshire. The report further underscored the environmental damage that had already occurred due to site clearance before the application was lodged. It was assessed that any further development would impact the local landscape, habitats, and ecosystem resilience negatively, and would go beyond the capacity of the site to absorb change.
Public commentary during the meeting reflected local sentiment, with one resident advocate, Helen Williams, challenging both the necessity and suitability of the location, stating that villagers could not recall any caravans being present at the site for decades. Conversely, the applicant’s agent, Andrew Vaughan-Harries, argued that although the timing of the application may not have been ideal, there remained a clear need for additional Traveller sites in Pembrokeshire and across Wales. He suggested that any refusal could result in an appeal or the amendment and resubmission of the application with potential improvements.
In a closing statement following the decision, Mr Vaughan-Harries acknowledged the challenge in establishing Traveller sites and indicated the possibility of a revised proposal to address environmental assessments and outstanding concerns. He reiterated the broader need for more such sites, both publicly and privately managed, to alleviate pressures on local authorities and better serve Traveller communities.
The outcome in Saundersfoot highlights the ongoing tension between preserving rural environments and responding to the accommodation requirements of nomadic and Traveller communities, an issue that continues to spark debate across Wales and the UK. The situation remains fluid, with further developments on this site and others expected in the months ahead.