A Pembrokeshire farm barn attraction previously refused by planning officers, which has gained a 3,500-strong petition of support and a call for it to be decided by councillors rather than officers, is recommended to be refused by next week’s planning committee.

Late last year, Stuart Williams of Home Farm, Leweston, near Camrose, was refused retrospective permission by planning officers to retain the Willhome Farm Barn farm park – and ancillary buildings – built in June 2022.

The site – whose facilities were used by council educational providers and parents of children with learning difficulties – is home to rabbits, llamas, donkeys, poultry, owls, goats, ponies and pigs, along with a café building, public conveniences, a children’s play area, and parking.

It was refused due to highway safety concerns and fears it would generate additional foul water flows which are likely to result in an increase in phosphate levels in the Cleddau River.

Since the refusal by planners, a change.org petition, Grant Planning Permission for Willhome Farm Barn in Pembrokeshire, was set up by Hook-based Jessica Austin, which has attracted more than 3,500 signatures to date.

Jessica’s petition said: “This decision not only affects this resilient family but also impacts schools attended with over 6,000 pupils, by adults from local wellbeing centres and families with children who have autism or learning difficulties like mine.

“It’s important to note that there are no apparent issues with existing amenities. Roads or waterways. The refusal of planning permission seems unjustified and is causing unnecessary distress within our community.”

Earlier this year, the applicant submitted a fresh call – supported by local community council Camrose – for permission to be granted, which was again due to be decided by planning officers.

At the request of local county councillor, and former council leader, Cllr Jamie Adams, a special meeting was held in July to discuss whether a decision could be made by councillors rather than officers.

Despite a recommendation it be decided by officers, members unanimously agreed to remove delegated powers for approval or refusal, on the grounds it was complex and sensitive and would benefit from a public examination of the merits, following a call by Cllr John Cole, meaning the application would be heard at a future planning committee.The application is now recommended for refusal by councillors when it comes before Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee on October 8.

Reasons given for refusal include those given for the previous application.

A report for members states: “The agent has submitted in support of the application a Planning Support Statement, dated March 2023, which states that the applicant lost his milking/dairy herd to bovine tuberculosis in 2022 and subsequently opened the farm park attraction. During school term times there are 10 county council educational groups visiting on a regular basis, with a further six county council educational providers on a waiting list.

“By July 2023 there were already 6,000 pupils booked in. No details have been provided regarding weekend and school holiday activity, but it is understood that the park has been open to visitors during these times.”

One third party representation has been received objecting to the development on highway grounds, adverse impact on biodiversity, and the precedent which the development would set, the report says.

The report says traffic figures from a previous county highways survey have been disputed by the applicant’s agent, who said this includes existing traffic movements to other properties and businesses in the area.

“Notwithstanding this, even if half of all the trips noted in this survey for the weekday period were discounted, the remaining level of trips (192 two-way movements) would still be considerably higher than the trip generation as presented by the agent within their supporting information.

“The CHA concludes that the event traffic associated with the application site would require effective traffic management, but this has not been adequately addressed in the supporting information.”

The report concludes: “The proposal would have a negative environmental impact through additional traffic movements. In addition, insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate management and reduction of traffic to support sustainable travel or to ensure that the public highway remains free and clear from obstruction.”

It adds: “The proposed development generates additional foul water flows which are likely to result in an increase in Phosphate levels in the Afon Cleddau, adversely affecting the Cleddau Rivers SAC.”