The applicant looking to turn a former RNLI inshore lifeboat hut at Tenby harbour into a new food takeaway outlet - told members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority that she was looking to build on the success of her mother’s former sandwich shop ‘Truly Scrumptious’ which sat on the seaside town’s South Parade for many years - before her plans were scuppered this month.

Applicant Ruby Goodrick told members of PCNPA that the plan was to turn the empty building with “small and thoughtful touches” into a takeaway, called Truly@The Harbour, which she felt would “contribute positively to the local economy”.

She said that she was also “more than happy” to adjust the opening hours of the business - which had been put forward as operating from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week, after she had been granted a five-year lease from Pembrokeshire County Council to use the premises.

However the plans were turned down by members of PCNPA’s development management committee, despite an officer recommendation for approval.

The application came before committee members rather than an officer decision as Tenby Town Council had objected to the plans.

An officer report, recommending approval, said: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposed used would introduce a retail element to this area of the harbour, on balance, officers consider that no significant harm would be caused to the character of Tenby Harbour as a result of this development since the use proposed occupies a relatively small floor area, and would not be a destination in and of itself, rather, it would rely on the existing footfall within the harbour.”

Speaking at the meeting, Alistair Mckay, on behalf of Tenby Sailing Club, said granting the scheme would lead to a potential conflict with other harbour users.

Concerns were also raised by committee members, issues including congestion in the area and waste.

A refusal, against the officer’s recommendations, was moved by committe member Cllr Simon Hancock, who said: “It’s a commendable enterprise but I just feel this is the wrong location, it’s almost an alien feature in what is a working harbour,” adding: “With regret I’m going to move we refuse this application.”

He was joined by Tenby county councillor for the south ward Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, who said she was “all for new businesses in the town, especially for young people,” but worried about a potential precedent being set by approval.

Members voted by 12 in favour to three against refusal.

A related application for a display board to the front of the property advertising the takeaway, also recommended for approval, was deferred for a delegated decision to be made.

The scheme had previously come under fire from Tenby Civic Society and Tenby North county councillor Michael Williams.

Cllr Williams wrote to the park authority saying: “To allow this development would do considerable damage to the historical environment of the harbour estate which is a Grade-II-listed building.”

He pointed out that this is the only area of the harbour where commercial fishing activities can be operated, and it is used by a number of commercial fishing vessels to land catches.

“The very nature of this work would be entirely incompatible with this proposal,” Cllr Williams added.

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