A plan for a new water bottling plant has received approval from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The operator of Trerhys farm in St Dogmaels applied for a change of use, which was granted by the park authority.
Details of the Proposal
According to an officer report recommending approval, the scheme at the farm near Moylegrove will utilise one bay of an existing shed and source water from a well on the property. Farmer Mr George aims to diversify his income, as stated by his planning agent.
“The increase in profits generated by the water bottling plant business will be siphoned back into the farm business, to allow for necessary improvements and works to the farm to ensure its future within a worsening agricultural economy,” the agent's statement explained. The profits will fund repair and replacement of fencing and help increase the suckler herd on the farm.
Public Concerns and Responses
Three members of the public raised concerns about potential noise issues, the water source, and transportation of the finished product. However, a national park planning officer noted that a noise assessment found no detrimental impacts, and highways officers had no concerns regarding transportation.
Mr George's agent, Harries Planning Design Management, elaborated: “The applicant underwent major surgery back in 2023 and had to cut back hours on the farm to recover. This meant that the suckler herd dipped in numbers and due to [lack of] profitability, the farm has yet to be able to recover to its previous numbers.”
“This increase in profit will allow the capital to be reinvested in the suckler herd, increase profit margins and overall profitability for the farm. Without diversification, the farm is set to reduce further in size and the buildings and farmyard become further run down and unsightly in the landscape,” the agent added.
Approval Decision
The application was conditionally approved by the planning department, which stated in its report: “Following careful consideration of the application and its merits, it is concluded that the proposed scheme represents an appropriate form of development in this location.”
