CELTIC Camping in St Davids has been granted a new premises licence.

The application from the owner Ian Griffiths came before Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee on Wednesday, March 19.

It sought permission to stage six events per year with an extended licence until 4am, with two weeks written notice given to local authority in advance.

Celtic Camping is a 250 acre National Trust farm located Pwll Caerog Farm in Berea. It specialises in group accommodation, with a 700 capacity campsite and a bunkhouse capable of accommodating 300 people.

Some of the regular visiting groups include Brownies, Girl Guides, Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh participants, and rugby tours, who partake in a variety of activities such as clay shooting, coastal hiking, sea kayaking, coasteering and bushcraft skills.

The farm also has a stage barn with bar, and an occasional marquee for events. Some of the annual events which have proved popular include the charity boxing match ‘Brawl in Berea’, and the mud run.

Addressing the committee, Mr Griffiths said: “I’m a fourth generation farmer and over the past 23 year we’ve developed the business to where we are now.

“We are looking to make the system more robust, utilising the facilities onsite whilst maintaining a working farm.

“My ethos is to get people from towns and cities into the countryside to engage.”

He added it was a natural progression applying for this permanent licence, and that the have had letters of support from the National Trust.

Councillor Tony Brinsden raised concerns about the proximity of nearby properties.

Mr Griffiths said: “There are two houses about 800 metres away, and personally I’d be willing to work with them.

“The majority of noise is blown out to sea and we’ve lined the barn to muffle the sound further.

“I have parked my car up by the properties during events to monitor the noise levels.”

Following half an hour of deliberations the committee decided to grant the licence subject to some modifications.