A collective of residents in Saundersfoot are objecting to plans for the creation of a new ‘traveller site’ in the vicinity of their homes, raising concerns with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority that the application, if passed, could lead to the potential for further development, in what was once diverse natural woodland.

The application (reference: NP/24/0638/FUL) for the creation of one traveller site incorporating one static caravan, one touring caravan, day/utility room and ecological enhancements (partly retrospective) on land at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane has been submitted to PCNPA by applicant Dai Evans through agents Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd.

A report submitted to PCNPA states: “The applicant belongs to a long-standing Romany Gypsy family and generations have lived a traditional and cultural lifestyle living in caravans all their lives. Mr Evans and his partner currently reside on an overcrowded traveller site in Pontypool where living conditions are poor.”

The agents state that Mr Evans was familiar with the application site as since the late 1980s, his family used to travel there, where they stayed in a touring caravan during the summer months.

“An opportunity arose in October 2023 to purchase the application site, which he was familiar with, from the former owners,” explains the report.

“The application’s aspirations are to continue his Gypsy culture and traditions residing in a caravan on site.”

However, those living nearby, raising objections, have labelled the application as ‘misleading’.

“The application is misleading as it focuses on only a small portion of the overall site Mr Evans has purchased and cleared, implying he has no intention to develop the rest,” stated a spokesperson for the group of objectors.

“He proposes the development of one static mobile home (already sited without permission), one day room (not yet built) and one touring pitch.

“The planning officers and committee are not being presented with a true picture of the potential for further development.

“The overall site could accommodate 6-10 static/mobile homes and the intention to do so is quite clear as Mr Evans has already cleared levelled, fenced, gated and run water to the entire site.

“The ecological impact so far has involved stripping out dozens of trees and extensive hedgerow and undergrowth in an area of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to create the impression that this was always open land. It was not,” they continued.

Objectors have stated that the impact of the applicant ‘stripping out’ young trees and hedgerow and ‘destroying’ natural woodland which was home to active and diverse wildlife, completely opened access to the private gardens of houses on Incline Way, necessitating the erection of over a hundred of metres of fencing.

“The prospect of a gypsy/traveller site where no development is permitted and the potential to site multiple static caravans where none are allowed will fundamentally change the nature of this area of National Park in a county where we already have traveller site provision,” they added.

The application will be considered by PCNPA’s development management committee at a later date.