Saundersfoot lodge on Airbnb since 2014 had no planning permission

A holiday let in a popular seaside village has been allowed to keep operating despite having had no planning permission for the past 12 years.

Luke and Debra Smith applied for permission to keep the converted outbuilding, in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, as a short-term holiday let.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners granted permission after reviewing evidence that suggested the one-bed lodge had been used as a commercial short-term holiday for at least 10 years - long enough to escape planning enforcement action.

Caban bach has an Airbnb rating of 4.88 out of five, placing it among the top-rated accommodation in the area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Smiths applied for permission to keep using the outbuilding at Hendre, St Brides Hill, Saundersfoot, as a short-term holiday let through agent RPC Design & Architecture Ltd.

A certificate of lawfulness proves that a development or use has continued long enough to escape planning enforcement action.

A supporting statement said the outbuilding had been used continuously as a holiday let since 2014.

The application included a 2010 Zoopla listing for the lodge and an Airbnb advert, stating the guest accommodation was "five minutes' walk to Saundersfoot village... with direct access to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path".

Saundersfoot was voted the greatest UK seaside town by TimeOut earlier this year, praised for its fresh seafood, homemade Welsh cakes and lovely views.

The Airbnb advert listed amenities at Caban bach including a "private garden [and] off-road parking", describing the lodge as "'vintage' with the quirks and character that comes with age".

"The origins of the Caban are unknown, but it is thought to have been in the grounds of Hendre since at least the 1970s.

"The accommodation itself is suitable all year round with double-glazing and central heating."

An officer report recommending the certificate be granted, for ongoing use as a short-term let, said the applicants had demonstrated the property had been used as a C6 short-term holiday let since 2014.

The report said the applicants had supported their claim using a "range of documentary evidence, including historic property marketing information, historical aerial imagery, annual Airbnb earning statements, and photographic evidence of the existing building".

Guest reviews were also used to support the claim, with one describing it as "a brilliant place".

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