Tenby Town Council has backed revised plans to introduce a gate at the harbour pier.

Pembrokeshire County Council has put forward applications (Reference: NP/25/0017/FUL & NP/25/0150/LBA) to install a swing gate that prevents unauthorised vehicle entry, but allows pedestrian access at the seaside town’s pier which forms part of the picturesque harbour.

At their meeting this month, members of Tenby Town Council recommended approval for the plans, stating: ‘While the new design still looks a little 'industrial' - it does allow more flexibility to reduce its impact within the harbour environs’

Pembrokeshire County Council has put forward applications (Reference: NP/25/0017/FUL & NP/25/0150/LBA) to install a swing gate that prevents unauthorised vehicle entry, but allows pedestrian access at the seaside town’s pier which forms part of the picturesque harbour.
Pembrokeshire County Council has put forward applications (Reference: NP/25/0017/FUL & NP/25/0150/LBA) to install a swing gate that prevents unauthorised vehicle entry, but allows pedestrian access at the seaside town’s pier which forms part of the picturesque harbour. (PCNPA)

Their recommendation will be passed onto the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, who will determine the application at a later date.

Tenby town councillors had recommended refusal for previous plans put forward by Pembrokeshire County Council to introduce a fixed sliding gate on the harbour pier - stating that such a structure woud be out of keeping with the Grade II listed harbour - but have now backed this new design.

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.

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.

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.

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)

“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.

“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.