Congratulations on that informative article re planning (June 29). Wayne Reynolds told us that, subject to prior notification processes, in England “relaxed planning rules allow for conversion of rural agricultural barns for residential purposes under Permitted Development Rights”, but in Wales, no such rights exist. Depopulation is a serious problem in coastal Pembrokeshire; a contributory factor is surely severe National Park resistance to new build: building plots are very pricey, even for starter homes.

So, young people leave their home villages to start families elsewhere. The average age of residents rises, schools close and so do shops and pubs; bus services dwindle, too.

Meanwhile, many old farm buildings lie redundant, but owners are often told they’d only get planning permission for holiday accommodation, not residential use. Why?

Because of what I contend are spurious arguments – one of them being, the lack of rural bus services: talk about a self-fulfilling prophesy!

Farmers in the National Park already have to diversify to survive; they might need yet more options, in light of “Brexit”. Surely they should be offered similar Permitted Development Rights to the English ones for residential use of their redundant outbuildings?

Not to create swanky barn conversions, though: there are plenty of posh properties in our coastal strip already!

Why not rural starter homes?

CHRISTOPHER JESSOP

Marloes