Concerns about access on a narrow country road and loss of hedgerow have led to a decision on eight new homes for St Florence being deferred.

A decision on whether to allow a development of eight homes on farmyard land at Ash Grove will be taken at next month’s planning committee.

Pembrokeshire County Council members decided to hold off on making a decision after hearing objections about the increase in accesses onto Chapel Lane and the way the houses were laid out.

Planning permission exists for nine properties on the site – which was supported by the local community council and others – which were in a cul-d-sac with one access road in and out.

The new application would create three driveways off the lane, two of which would be shared access.

St Florence Community Council has objected to the application and a further 12 letters of representations against the plan have been received a planning report states.

Local member Clr. Phil Kidney spoke at Tuesday’s (June 2) virtual planning meeting and said the community council “cannot support this application due to the excessive amount of access points coming out on to Chapel Lane.”

Other issues raised include the access safety, the urban style and “cramped layout”, impact on the village conservation area, sewerage system overwhelm, loss of privacy and the potential for future applications on the owner’s land.

A site visit was discussed by the committee but due to current Covid-19 restrictions it is not possible, however individual members could visit and research the area online independently.

It was agreed that the application be deferred to the July 28 meeting to allow more time to consider the impact on the area.