A seaside village pub in Pembrokeshire, Wales, has been ordered to remove decking that was installed for safety reasons following a near-miss incident involving a child and a vehicle. The decking, located at the Hibernia Inn in Angle, fell afoul of national park policy. The pub’s owner, Kath Lunn, had sought retrospective planning permission from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to keep the wooden decking that was put in place in April of the current year.
The application for the decking came after a child had a close call with a vehicle on the nearby road earlier in the year. Lunn explained that the decking was added to enhance safety for customers, especially after the incident with the child. While the village’s community council and two letters supporting the safety aspect of the decking were received, concerns were raised by the park’s building conservation officer regarding the design’s impact on the conservation area.
The conservation officer suggested alternative options, such as enclosing the front garden with a traditional wall, but ultimately, a report recommended refusal based on the negative impact the decking had on the conservation area’s character and appearance. The report highlighted that the decking stood out as a discordant element within the village, not aligning with the surrounding listed buildings.
Despite efforts to improve safety for patrons, the retrospective development was seen as disruptive to the village’s aesthetic. The enforcement investigation by the national park led to the decision to request the removal of the decking. The controversy underscores the challenge of balancing safety concerns with preserving the heritage and character of the local environment.
In conclusion, the Pembrokeshire pub’s decking, intended to enhance safety following a near-miss incident, has now become a subject of contention due to its impact on the conservation area’s visual appeal. The clash between safety requirements and heritage preservation highlights the complexities faced by establishments seeking to make improvements while respecting the historical context of their surroundings.