Take the crumbling ruin of a country manor, a determined pair of visionaries intent on restoring this once grand Pembrokeshire property and a planning authority standing in their way and you have all the elements of a gripping saga.

This real-life drama is set among the ruins of 15th century Landshipping House and the central characters are chartered boat operator Alun Harries and his partner, ex-BBC producer Sarah Hoss, who gave up her glamorous city life for love. Their adversary in this complex tale is the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

The story began when Alun and Sarah bought the crumbling ruin of Landshipping House with the intention of converting derelict outbuildings into holiday accommodation. Central to this plan was the restoration of Landshipping House where they planned to live and bring up their four children.

Three years and a series of planning hurdles later and the family is still camped out in a mobile home next to the ruin.

National Park planners have objected to the rebuilding of an old granary on the site because they insist it is new build. This has held up the entire project and a less resilient couple would, no doubt, have crumbled along with the ruins.

Sarah admits the project has been considerably more challenging than could ever have been anticipated but she has no regrets about taking it on.

"Even if we could have foreseen what was ahead of us we would still have gone ahead because we had a vision we both strongly believed in and that has never left us,'' she says.

"There has never been a single word of objection to our plans from the local community; everyone has voiced their support, everyone except the National Park Authority.'' Landshipping House is set in one of the most striking locations in Pembrokeshire. Visitors are more likely to spot an otter, a Golden Plover or a rare bat than other human life.

The history of the property, originally called Landshipping Mansion or Ty Mawr (Big House) by locals, is a bit sketchy. Part of the house is known to date back to the 1600s but what is interesting is that it now stands in a different spot to its original location.

"It was initially up the road, but as the Owens of Orielton accumulated their wealth as colliery owners they wanted a grander home. They decided it would be cheaper to rebuild the house at another location rather than extend and repair it,'' explains Alun, who has lived in Pembrokeshire all his life.

Stone from the house was transported down the road to the waterside site and formed part of their new home. Tantalised by the sight of Picton Castle and Slebech Park across the water and keen to mark their elevated status in society, the Owen family included castellation in the design.

The house was eventually abandoned and fell into disrepair before it was bought by a property developer. Family reasons meant he was unable to pursue his intended renovation project and the property was offered for sale.

Prospective buyers were queuing up for what Alun and Sarah saw as a once in a lifetime opportunity. Fortunately for them, the seller was keen to relinquish the property to a local family.

By now, the couple had hoped to be generating an income from the holiday cottages to fund the restoration of the main house.

Dismayed but not defeated, they are determined to realise their dream. "We want to create a sustainable business and a home for us and our children. It might take ten years to get there but the house will eventually be restored to its original design,'' says Sarah.