A planning application has been approved for a change of use from food and drink to a building consultancy business in Tenby town centre.
The application, submitted by Ben Childs and handled by agent Morgan Building Consultancy, is for Westgate House on South Parade.
The proposal involves changing the building’s use from A3, which covers food and drink establishments, to B1, a category that includes offices and other business activities, specifically a building surveyor consultancy in this case.
The change is one of use only, with no physical alterations planned for the building.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which approved the plan, said the change is “acceptable in planning terms.”
Planners noted the new use is unlikely to increase foot traffic, odour, or noise, and it would not negatively impact either the town centre or the wider national park.
Tenby Civic Society did raise concerns, particularly regarding the “loss of retail use next door to Tenby’s post office” and the unknown number of jobs that would be created by the new business.
However, the agent said the new office would employ two full-time workers, with the possibility of more jobs once the business expands, a planners’ report said.
In response to worries about the impact on Tenby’s town centre, the planners’ report said the removal of one A3 unit is unlikely to affect the number of food and drink outlets in the area, given the large number of existing ones nearby.
It added the addition of a B1 unit would “provide a welcome variety amongst the street scene” and not harm the overall character of the area.
The officer report concluded the proposed change is “acceptable,” noting the site is on the edge of the shopping centre and there are many other A3 units nearby.
It said the new commercial office would likely avoid any visual intrusion or impact to public amenity.
