Plans to convert a redundant 19th century Pembrokeshire farm building to a three-bedroom home to provide improved accommodation for two pensioners with serious health conditions have been approved.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council planners, Tom Scanlon of Nantybwlch, Hermon, near Glogue, sought permission to concert the redundant outbuilding on site, the building last used in 2022.

Nantybwlch, a smallholding of eight acres with a farmhouse and large steel building and small stable enclosure, is located off the main Crymych to Hermon Road via a long driveway.

Nantybwlch is first identified on the tithe map dated 1844 as a house owned by Dan Evans and occupied by Walter Hannah. The farmstead then appears clearer on the 1st edition OS map dated 1888, reports for planners said.

In a statement calling for approval of the scheme, Mr Scanlon said: “Our reasons for wanting to convert the building is mainly as follows:- We have lived at Nantybwlch for 35 years. We are both pensioners with serious health conditions. As such at some point in the future we may need a carer to reside with or near us so the extra accommodation would be essential.

“Also, our present accommodation has no bathroom upstairs and the stairs is proving very difficult and dangerous for both of us. Looking forward, the proposed building proposal will have all the amenities on the ground floor which will be vital for us in the near future.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “It is considered that the proposal demonstrates that a residential use could be accommodated within the existing building without extensive alteration, expansion or rebuilding of the building that would affect the character of the area or its setting.

“There is external amenity spaces proposed, it is considered that this would not harm the landscaping setting or the character of the building.”

It added: “In terms of design, the plans were amended during the course of the application to overcome concerns that the proposal would negatively impact the agricultural character of the building. It is considered with the amendments to the design and use of external material finishes, that the proposal would ensure that the renovations and conversion works would largely retain the existing appearance and character of the outbuilding and pay due regard to the protection of the agricultural character of the historic outbuilding.”

The application was conditionally approved.