Lifeboat Takeaway Refused

Plans to site a takeaway food kiosk at a former lifeboat store in Tenby’s seaside harbour have been refused despite an officer recommendation for approval.

In an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s March development management committee, Ruby Goodrick sought permission from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners to turn the old RNLI lifeboat store, Penniless Cove, Tenby Harbour, into a takeaway cold food outlet, open 10am-10pm seven days a week.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said she has a five-year lease from Pembrokeshire County Council to use the site; an accompanying flood risk assessment saying the beach-side site is not at risk of tidal flooding is considered low risk.

The application came before committee members rather than an officer decision as Tenby Town Council has objected, and was recommended for approval despite being a departure from the adopted development plan.

An officer report, recommending approval, said: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposed used would introduce a retail element to this area of the harbour, on balance, officers consider that no significant harm would be caused to the character of Tenby Harbour as a result of this development since the use proposed occupies a relatively small floor area, and would not be a destination in and of itself, rather, it would rely on the existing footfall within the harbour.”

Speaking at the meeting, Alistair Mckay, on behalf of Tenby Sailing Club, said granting the scheme would lead to a potential conflict with other harbour users.

Applicant Ruby Goodrick told members the plan was to turn the empty building with “small and thoughtful touches” and was “more than happy” to adjust the hours of opening of the business, building on the success of her mother’s former sandwich shop in the town called Truly Scrumptious.

Ruby said the proposed takeaway, called Truly@The Harbour would “contribute positively to the local economy”.

However, concerns were raised by committee members, issues including congestion in the area and waste.

Refusal, against officer recommendations, was moved by Cllr Simon Hancock, who said: “It’s a commendable enterprise but I just feel this is the wrong location, it’s almost an alien feature in what is a working harbour,” adding: “With regret I’m going to move we refuse this application.”

He was joined by Tenby councillor Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, who said she was “all for new businesses in the town, especially for young people,” but worried about a potential precedent being set by approval.

Members voted by 12 in favour to three against refusal.

A related application for a display board to the front of the property advertising the takeaway, also recommended for approval, was deferred for a delegated decision to be made.

The scheme has previously come under fire from Tenby Civic Society and Tenby North county councillor Michael Williams.

Cllr Williams wrote to the park authority saying: “To allow this development would do considerable damage to the historical environment of the harbour estate which is a Grade-II-listed building.”

He pointed out that this is the only area of the harbour where commercial fishing activities can be operated, and it is used by a number of commercial fishing vessels to land catches.

“The very nature of this work would be entirely incompatible with this proposal,” Cllr Williams added.

“My other concern is that a precedent might well be created opening up this priceless historical area to unacceptable and unsuitable commercial exploitation.”