A PEMBROKESHIRE campsite toilet/shower block built without planning permission will be able to stay at a county farm, in part due to the support of a former council leader.

Mrs Hodge of Simpson Hill Farm, Simpson Cross, near Haverfordwest had applied to Pembrokeshire planners for a Lawful Development Certificate for the block, saying it had been on the land and in the same use for over a decade.

An application for a certificate of lawful development allows an applicant to keep a development if they can provide proof of use over a prolonged period, normally in excess of four years.

A supporting statement through agent Harries Planning Design Management said: “The evidence provided seeks to demonstrate that the toilet/shower block has been on site for over 10 years and therefore constitutes lawful development. Therefore, logically the only reason a toilet/shower block would be located within a field in the countryside would be to support a campsite which has been in operation for as long as the toilet block has been in situ.”

In a supporting letter, former council leader and Camrose County Councillor Jamie Adams, of Keyston Hill Farm, said: “I have lived at the above address for over 50 years and have actively farmed for the last 40 years.

“We have, on occasion, had animals stray onto the neighbouring land which is the campsite run by the late Mr Bert Lavis, so I have witnessed first-hand the active use of the land over at least 30 years for camping.

“The site has been in active use to the present day and by passing regularly on the Simpsons Cross to Nolton Haven Cross road I have again witnessed patrons entering and exiting the campsite.”

An officer report, recommending the granting of the certificate, said a similar certificate of lawfulness for the use of land as a campsite, made last year, was refused.

On the toilet block, it said: “Dated aerial photography, and dated photographs of the toilet/shower block provided by the applicant support the submission. A letter in support of the submission was provided by Cllr Adams.”