The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has granted permission for access improvements at Penlan in the Gwaun Valley to support management of an approximately 70-hectare nature conservation site. The decision, made at the authority's July development management committee, authorises the creation of a permeable hardstanding at the existing forestry entrance, enabling practical work on habitats across the wider area.
What has been approved
The planning application sought permission for a hardstanding measuring roughly 20 metres by 15 metres immediately inside the existing forestry entrance. According to the officer report presented to councillors, the surface will provide space for the temporary storage of timber, equipment and materials and will allow safer movement of livestock and machinery used in habitat management.
- Site: existing forestry entrance to Penlan within the Gwaun Valley.
- Area managed: c. 70 hectares of moorland, heath, scrub and regenerating native woodland.
- Hardstanding size: approximately 20m x 15m, permeable construction.
Purpose and landscape context
The application states the works are needed to facilitate long-term management across the conservation site, supporting native woodland regeneration, wood pasture and heathland restoration. The land lies within the national park's Special Landscape area and is described in the report as rural in character, with a public footpath running immediately north of the proposed works and the existing forestry track leading into the wider site.
"The hardstanding is required to facilitate the long-term management of the wider 70-hectare conservation site, supporting native woodland regeneration, wood pasture and heathland restoration."
Public access and safeguards
Officers noted that the national park's Public Rights of Way Officer raised no objection to the proposal, subject to an informative ensuring the public right of way remains unobstructed. At the committee meeting the authority's chair, Dr Madeleine Havard, moved approval following an update that clearance work had already started to remove a monoculture species from parts of the site.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Managed area | Approx. 70 hectares |
| Hardstanding dimensions | Approx. 20m x 15m (permeable) |
| Primary aims | Woodland regeneration, wood pasture and heathland restoration |
The approved works are operational measures rather than larger construction; they are intended to assist ongoing conservation management across a substantial swathe of northern Pembrokeshire. Local users of the public right of way through the area will be subject to the informative that safeguards continued access while management activities take place.
