Plans to convert a café on Tenby’s North Beach into holiday accommodation have been given the thumbs up by local councillors.

An application from Joe Taylor, of Ragged Staff, Saundersfoot, seeking the change of use of the redundant first floor café/restaurant on the North Walk into a three-bedroom holiday accommodation, was recommended for approval by members of Tenby Town Council at their meeting last week.

Tenby Civic Society’s planning sub-committe have also given the proposals their backing.

“We welcome this application, for a suitable re-use of appropriate holiday accommodation with excellent views and access to the North Beach,” commented member Harry Gardiner.

“The retention of the existing facades is welcome. A previous application to re-build was over-development and of unsuitable height and design for this location and its services.

“This application is much smaller with little external change and is accompanied by reasonable steps for the holiday lettings agency to provide parking permits on Butts Field Car Park and access to other holiday accommodation for any disabled customers.

“These could be matters for conditions to control use. The need for site services will be limited, being similar to the previous café.

“This building is of unusual design for Tenby, but is sufficiently separated from the main building groups for its distinctiveness not to clash.

“The distinctively castellated toilet block next door is in a similar design context,” he added.

The views of the Town Council and Civic Society will now be passed on to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.