Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has allowed an outdoor lodge in a seaside village to continue operating as an Airbnb, despite having no planning permission.
Luke and Debra Smith, through agent RPC Design & Architecture Ltd, applied for permission to keep using an outbuilding at Hendre, St Brides Hill, Saundersfoot, as a short-term holiday let.
A certificate of lawfulness proves that a development or use has continued long enough to escape planning enforcement action.
A supporting statement said the outbuilding had been used continuously as a holiday let since 2014.
The application included a 2010 Zoopla listing for the lodge and an Airbnb advert that said: “Five minutes’ walk to Saundersfoot village with its bustling working harbour, shops, restaurants. Just 200m to beautiful beach and direct access to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Private garden, off road parking.”
“The accommodation itself is suitable all year round with double-glazing and central heating. Decked out with finds from local antique shops, Caban bach has a laid-back feel and we are sure you will find it very comfortable.”
It added: “The origins of the Caban are unknown, but it is thought to have been in the grounds of Hendre since at least the 1970s. It is ‘vintage’ with the quirks and character that comes with age.”
The dog-friendly holiday let has a 4.88 out of five Airbnb rating, placing it among the top five per cent of listings after more than 700 reviews.
Reviews included: “It’s such a peaceful, private spot and always beautifully clean. The garden is stunning with sunny patches and shady corners, and the location couldn’t be better, a quick walk down to Saundersfoot’s shops and beach.”
One guest called the cabin clean, spacious, warm and peaceful, while another praised its cleanliness, facilities and perfect location: “The cabin was lovely. Such a brilliant place. Really clean and it has everything that a couple with a dog could need. The location was perfect.”
An officer report recommending the certificate be granted said the applicants supported the claim holiday use started back in 2014 with “a range of documentary evidence, including historic property marketing information, historical aerial imagery, an Airbnb listing, guest reviews, annual Airbnb earnings statements and photographic evidence of the existing building”.
National park planners granted the certificate after concluding that the evidence showed, on the balance of probabilities, the building had been used as a C6 short-term holiday let for at least 10 years.
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