A PLANNING appeal in the north of the county has been dismissed by the Welsh Office.

Pembrokeshire County Council had refused planning permission for the change of use of part of a workshop in Eglwyswrw into residential accommodation.

A Welsh Office planning inspector upheld the decision the council to refuse Nick Davies permission for the change of use to provide accommodation at Llain Workshops, Eglwyswrw, for a rural enterprise worker.

In 2009 temporary permission for the change of use for residential use but was only in place for a period of three years.

The Inspector, Declan Beggan, said the case for a permanent residential presence on the appeal site was based more on convenience than functional necessity.

“It has not been shown that it is essential for the proper functioning of the enterprise” Mr Beggan said in giving his decision.

He also dismissed a second appeal by Mr Davies against an Enforcement Notice issued by the County Council and relating to the same site.

The Notice, issued in February last year, requires the use of the land and buildings for residential use to cease.

Mr Beggan also refused a request from the appellant to extend the time given by the Council to comply with the Enforcement Notice from four months to 18 to 24 months.