Plans Approved to Renovate Former Pembrokeshire Boarding School Accommodation Cottage

Plans to renovate an accommodation cottage for a former Pembrokeshire boarding school, turning it in to a home, have been given the go-ahead.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Mr and Mrs Graham, through agent RPC Design & Architecture Ltd sought permission for a change of Cants Cottage, a boarding house for the former Netherwood Boarding School, St Issells, near Saundersfoot, to a home, along with associated works.
An officer report recommending approval said the proposed works “comprise the enlargement of the cottage through the construction of an adjoining single-bay garage, replacement front porch and replacement single-story side extension”.
It added: “Officers consider that the proposed renovation works would not give rise to an unacceptable impact on the character or appearance of either the host dwelling or the surrounding area, nor are they considered likely to adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring occupiers.
“The proposed extensions are considered to be sympathetic to the architectural form and appearance of the dwelling and are of an appropriate scale and design, to ensure that they remain subordinate to the original building.
“No third-party representations have been received to date regarding the application, and no statutory consultees have raised any principal objections against the proposed scheme. Accordingly, officers have recommended the application for approval.”
It added: “The proposal would see the renovation and extension of Cants Cottage, which has recently been purchased and was formerly used for accommodation linked to Netherwood Boarding School.
“The cottage, formerly used as boarding accommodation, has been vacant for several years and, consequently, has fallen into a poor state of repair, evidenced by boarded-up fenestrations and slipped roof tiles. The building appears to have been substantially altered and extended from its original form over time and, as a result, retains limited architectural or historic character.”
It said pre-application advice had been sought for a similar scheme, but for a replacement dwelling; a 2025 application being subsequently withdrawn.
“The current proposal, which has now been submitted for consideration, adopts a similar design approach to the previously proposed replacement dwelling, however, this application looks to renovation, extension and change of use of the existing cottage, rather than replacement.
“An appropriate affordable housing contribution has been secured through a unilateral undertaking,” a sum of £28,500 being agreed.
The application was conditionally approved by Park planners. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​