Tenby town councillors continue to bat back proposals to turn the former RNLI inshore lifeboat hut at the harbour into a takeaway outlet.

Plans put forward towards the end of last year to site a takeaway outlet at the ‘Old Lifeboat Store’ where the inshore lifeboat previously launched from on the Mayor’s Slip, were criticised and labelled inappropriate and unacceptable in an historical harbour environment.

A planning application (reference: NP/24/0454/FUL) was submitted by applicant Ruby Goodrick of Narberth, to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for a ‘change of use’ from lifeboat storage unit to takeaway food outlet (A1) to operate between the hours of 10am and 10pm.

The building has been vacant since the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Station on Castle Beach was brought back into use in 2022.

Councillors recommended refusal for this application, stating the proposal was ‘out of keeping’ with the environs of a working harbour.

They pointed out that this location is used regularly by commercial and leisure harbour users and the proposal would impact on the main vehicle thoroughfare through the harbour adjacent to the sluice.

Now a further planning application (reference: NP/24/0670/ADV) for a fascia sign board to the face of the property has been submitted to PCNPA by the applicant, who itends to call the outlet ‘Trulys @ The Harbour’

Discussing the proposals at this month’s meeting of Tenby Town Council, members recommended refusal, stating that it was ‘not in keeping with the historic environs of the Grade II Listed harbour.’

Giving recommendations to PCNPA, on behalf of members of of Tenby Civic Society on the takeaway application last year, Harry Gardiner stated: “Basically we feel this use is in the wrong location and should currently be refused.

“We agree with Buildings Conservation Officer, Rob Scourfield that the proposal does not seem appropriate to the character of the Conservation Area, or keep the working character of the harbour.

“The local planning authority should consult Harbour Users, who were passed over in allocating the lease.”

The Civic Society flagged-up concerns over the fact that the late hours applied for breaks with practice for open air sales in the harbour to finish by 5pm, so could easily introduce the problems of litter, noise, and behaviour, and would be out of harbour supervision hours.

“LDP2 Policy 18 is to preserve Tenby harbour as a ‘working harbour’. The proposal is commercial and would conflict with that, in a boat working area and would not add value to boat working,” continued Mr Gardiner.

Tenby’s county councillor for the north ward, Cllr Michael Williams also wrote to PCNPA, concurring with the Civic Society’s views.

“To allow this development would do considerable damage to the historical environment of the harbour estate which is a Grade Two listed building,” he remarked.

“My other concern is that a precedent might well be created opening up this priceless historical area to unacceptable and unsuitable commercial exploitation.”

Both applications will be considered by PCNPA’s development management committee at a later date.