PEMBROKESHIRE Coast National Park's Development Management Committee has voted to begin prosecution proceedings against the owners of Rhosson Car Park at St Justinians.

At last week's meeting the committee considered a report by the development management team leader.

It said that, despite an enforcement notice issued in 2016, and upheld in a subsequent appeal, the land was used as an unathorised car park during July, August and September this year. A site visit had confirmed this.

"Certain landowners and boat operators are continuing to encourage access to the area by private motor car by providing an unauthorised car parking area," read the report.

This was despite a successful pilot project which saw shuttle buses running between St Davids St Justinian's harbour.

The site was to cease being used as a car park on January 29 this year and the requirement to return the land to its former condition came into effect on May 24.

The report said that using the land as a car park in the open countryside was not appropriate use and it detracted from the character and appearance of the surrounding agricultural land and neighbouring listed properties.

The committee voted to authorise national park managers to instruct solicitors to start prosecution proceedings in the magistrates court. These would be for non-compliance with the enforcement notice and for seizure of profits under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.