Plans for a gin distillery in the centre of Britain’s smallest city, St Davids, are expected to be rejected by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The revamped proposal, submitted by Mr N Walsh, seeks to change the use of an existing guest house to include a bar/restaurant and distillery. The initial application was denied last October due to concerns raised by 23 parties, including worries about the intensified use of the bar, impact on local amenities, and health and safety risks associated with the installation of a still and use of ethanol.
The revised plans involve a mixed use of the property for both a bed and breakfast and part of a gin distillery plant. The distillation process would take place for only 30 days in a year, with ethanol and botanicals stored off-site and brought on-site only when distilling occurs. Despite some mitigation measures proposed, including restrictions on operations, the planning authority deems the proposal unsuitable. They cite concerns about the enforceability of safety measures and the risk it poses to residents’ wellbeing.
Objectors have submitted 14 letters expressing fears of potential disasters and raising issues related to safety, traffic, noise, and privacy. They argue that the area is not suited for the production and storage of flammable materials. Moreover, they suggest there are other industrial locations in and around St Davids that could accommodate the distillery without compromising safety or local tranquillity.
The decision on the revised plans will be made at the October 16 meeting of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee. The committee is expected to refuse the application on the grounds that it introduces an incompatible use for the location, lacks adequate health and safety considerations, and poses risks to residential amenity due to impractical and unenforceable planning conditions.