A call to allow a Saundersfoot hair salon to be changed to an apartment has been approved, but planners state that it will not be allowed to be used as a holiday let or second home.

In an application recommended for approval at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee meeting of April 9, Mrs Allsop sought permission for a change of use of a salon to an apartment dwelling at The Old Brewery, Ocean Hair, Brewery Terrace.

An officer report for members stated: “As the property is located within Saundersfoot’s retail centre, the proposal is deemed to be a departure from the Local Development Plan as the C3 residential use is not included within the use classes that would be deemed acceptable within this shopping centre.

“However, given that the property is accessed via an alleyway between two buildings and does not form part of a retail frontage and given the focus from ‘Future Wales’ on town centres as multi-functional places and which are appropriate locations for new homes, the change of use from Class A1 to Class C3 is considered to be acceptable.

“No adverse comments have been received from consultees,” the report continued.

It was recommended the application be delegated to the Chief Executive, or to the Development Management Manager to issue consent subject to the receipt of a Unilateral Undertaking Agreement addressing the provision of a commuted sum towards off-site affordable housing.

One of the conditions was the ‘C3’ housing designation.

In October 2022 Welsh Government made changes to the planning legislation and policy to introduce three new use classes, C3 for dwelling houses, C5 for dwelling houses used as second homes, and C6 for the short-term lets.

Members of the development management committee agreed to back the officer recommendation of delegated conditional approval.