Plans to build an all-weather horse-riding arena and two self-catering accommodation pods near Pembrokeshire’s historic Lamphey Bishop’s Palace and Lamphey Court have been rejected by Pembrokeshire Council. The proposed site, located within a walled garden and agricultural land close to several listed buildings and a Scheduled Monument, raised concerns from multiple parties. Although supported by the local community council, Natural Resources Wales highlighted environmental risks due to the site’s location within a Marine Special Area of Conservation catchment. Additionally, the council’s landscape officer criticized the application for insufficient consideration of the garden’s cultural and landscape significance and poor design input.

The application was ultimately refused because the permanent pods were deemed to cause unjustified harm to the open countryside’s character and appearance. The absence of a Heritage Impact Assessment prevented assurance that the historic environment would remain unaffected. Furthermore, the lack of a habitat and protected species survey meant the proposal failed to demonstrate it would not negatively impact biodiversity or protected species in the area.