Plans to site a takeaway outlet at the former RNLI inshore lifeboat hut at Tenby harbour have been criticised and labelled inappropriate and unacceptable in an historical harbour environment.

A planning application (reference: NP/24/0454/FUL) has been 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 inshore lifeboat previously launched from the building on the Mayor’s Slip, but has been vacant since the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Station on Castle beach was brought back into use in 2022.

Giving recommendations to PCNPA, on behalf of members of of Tenby Civic Society, 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.”

Civic Society have 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 has also written to PCNPA, concurring with the Civic Society’s views.

“I wish to wholeheartedly endorse them. 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.

“The area involved is used by a number of commercial fishing vessels to land catches and by the very nature of this work would be entirely incompatible with this proposal. This is the only area of the harbour that commercial fishing activities can be operated.

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

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