Tenby town council have recommended refusal for plans put forward by Pembrokeshire County Council to introduce a fixed sliding gate on Tenby harbour pier - stating that such a structure woud be out of keeping with the Grade II listed harbour.

A planning application from the Local Authority (Reference: NP/25/0017/FUL) to install a swing gate that prevents unauthorised vehicle entry but allows pedestrian access, for Tenby Harbour Yacht Station and Harbour Office on Pier Hill, has been submitted to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Local authorities took the decision over the busy holiday period in 2023 to start closing off a section of the pier at high tides with a temporary fenced gate, after serious safety concerns resurfaced with the volume of youngsters jumping in the water causing risk of injury from vessel movements within the harbour.

Angus Dunlop who runs Tenby Boat Trips and is also chair of Tenby Harbour User's Association shared this photo to show that the numbers coming to Tenby to jump off the pier had got out of hand.
Angus Dunlop who runs Tenby Boat Trips and is also chair of Tenby Harbour User's Association shared this photo to show that the numbers coming to Tenby to jump off the pier had got out of hand. (Facebook)

Anti-social behaviour concerns were also raised, with teenagers congregating down the pier, drinking and then diving in the sea, and also the volume of ‘boy racers’ driving to the location for meet ups during evenings and after dark.

Efforts by PCC to reduce the numbers of youths congregating on the harbour pier also included introducing security staff to man the area.

In recommending refusal for the application at their meeting this month, Tenby town councillors stated: ‘Members feel that the proposed gates are more reminiscent of those you would see at the entrance to an industrial yard and therefore out of keeping with the environs of a Grade II listed harbour within the Conservation Area.

‘Members hope that a solution can be found to restrict access when boats are operating or at high tide without such an imposing structure’.

Tenby harbour tombstoning
Boat operators have voiced their concerns over the issue of too many kids jumping off the pier during peak times. (Pic. Gareth Davies Photography)

A Tenby boat operator recently moved to justify plans for permanent gates to be installed at the pier, stating that without intervention there would be a very high chance of an ‘horrific’ incident occurring.

With many taking to social media to call the Local Authority ‘killjoys’ for stopping the summer fun - Angus Dunlop who runs Tenby Boat Trips and is also chair of Tenby Harbour User's Association said: “The numbers coming to Tenby to jump off the pier had got out of hand in ‘23. Not only local kids or visitors, it had become a focal point for Pembrokeshire – well in excess of 100 people on a warm afternoon high tide.

“In years gone by, jumpers had respect for working boats and jumping was tolerated by the boatmen – but in recent years there had been a noticeable shift in attitude, and unfortunately on many occasions a total lack of respect for the harbourmaster’s authority and for working boats underway.

One of the warning boards displayed in Tenby about the dangers of 'tombstoning'

“A child sucked under a boat by a propeller will at best lose a limb, more likely their life – in horrific circumstances.

“The boats crew will have to live with that trauma for the rest of their lives, not to mention a family devastated,” he added

The application from PCC will be considered by the National Park’s development management committee in the near future.