A call to approve a new campsite close to a Neolithic burial chamber for Pembrokeshire coastal path walkers, at which building works have started without permission, has been approved by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Raffale Colella sought partly-retrospective permission for a proposed 12-pitch campsite at Tyr fy Nhad, New Hill, Goodwick.

The application was partly-retrospective as part of a concrete and timber facilities building for the site, near the chambered tomb of Garn Wen, a scheduled ancient monument on land owned by the applicant, has already been built.

A supporting statement through Johnston Planning Ltd said the applicant “seeks to establish a high-quality, all-season facility which will cater primarily for walkers on the Pembrokeshire coastal Path who currently lack any meaningful accommodation of this nature in the locality”.

It added: “The scheme proposes some 12 individual camping pitches set on a north-south axis on the site divided by an access track running the length of the facility with the proposed welfare building set midway along the eastern side of the site.

“In this instance the proposal relates to the establishment of new camp site on the periphery of a recognised settlement.”

It finished: “The provision of temporary visitor accommodation in this location will lead to increased spend in the settlement of Goodwick helping to underpin the service function of that town and having general indirect benefits in terms of social and economic sustainability.

“Ecologically the development proposes significant enhancement measures in terms of planting that will have clear positive impacts in terms of habitat creation and foraging habitat for a range of inset and animal species.”

The scheme was supported by Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council.

An officer report, recommending approval, said: “In regard to visual impact the site is elevated although due to the nature of the development being low level and in relation to landscape planting the development would have an acceptable visual impact on the immediate and wider area.

“In regard to impact on residential amenity, the site would be approximately 20 metres from the nearest dwelling. The access track is some 15-20 metres from the dwellings to the east, therefore the development would not have a significant impact on the occupants of the dwellings to the south of the site.”

The application was conditionally approved.