A call to allow a former riding stables to keep a multi-purpose building built without permission has been allowed, but its new purpose for wedding venues will need a new application.
In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Lawson & Penny Owen of LJP Owen Ltd, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, sought permission for a certificate of lawfulness for a multi-use building at Johns Barn, Nolton Stables, Nolton.
n application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to keep a development if they can provide proof of occupancy or use over a prolonged period.
A supporting statement said the building had been used for a variety of purposes including a meet and greet use in connection with the operation of a family-owned riding stables, for various parties and occasions including birthday parties and for expansion with weddings and wedding receptions.
It added: “Mr Lawson Owen’s grandfather, along with his sons, started the stables early 1960s and his mum and dad ran the stables from 1975. Mr Owen left school in 1995 and LJP Owen Ltd took over running the stables from 2005 (Lawson, James and Penny). There is no planning history in respect of the construction of this mainly timber building which has been designed and used since 2016 for a variety of activities within Use Class D2, nor in respect of the subsequent extension, which was added by Summer 2020 and which contains a toilet block.
“Although the multi-purpose building was constructed to act as a meet and greet centre and toilets in conjunction with the established riding school / pony trekking centre based at Nolton Stables, the first use towards the end of December 2016 was to host a family event to which over 100 guests were invited.”
It said the facility predated other ventures at the site including a horse riding experience and ‘zorbing’ and segwaying.
It said that Covid restrictions in place from 2020 “resulted in the abandonment of pony trekking and hence the sale of the horses from Nolton Stables as it was economically impractical to feed and maintain the animals, saddles etc for an extended period when there was no income,” adding: “Zorbing and segwaying also had to cease because of the associated level of social contact.”
It went on to say: “The principal use of the building is now multi-purpose with wedding venue ceremonies now popular too and subsequent reception with a number of the guests staying in holiday accommodation in and around Nolton; some of which is currently managed by the applicants or to be developed by the applicants. (An application for nine holiday units is currently awaiting validation and processing by PCNP).”
An officer report in part supported the certificate of lawfulness, but felt the current use of the barn as a wedding venue, from 2022, “is considered to be a further change of use from the equine use to a sui generis use,” with a continuous period of use of for a longer period needed for that element of the ‘lawfulness’ application.
In granting the certificate of lawfulness for the building itself and equine use, it said: “The unauthorised building has a lawful equestrian activity use and any change of use from this has not yet become lawful,” adding the use as a wedding venue would require a separate planning application.
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