Plans for coverings in parts of a north Pembrokeshire school to make them “useable during inclement weather” have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

Pembrokeshire County Council, in an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, sought approval for canopies to cover school yards at Ysgol Bro Ingli, Long Street, Newport, a modern school built in 1993.

A supporting letter, sent through agent Harries Planning Design Management, said: “This application seeks to provide two new canopies/coverings to two open areas within Ysgol Bro Ingli.

“These coverings seek to allow parts of the school to be useable during inclement weather, especially the yard area. The canopies will be constructed with transparent materials to ensure adequate light and to ensure that no external lighting will be required.

“The proposal also seeks to propose a doorway to the north elevation of yard 2 to provide wheelchair accessible access to the covered area from the neighbouring building.

“The proposed canopies are within the grounds of the existing school. They do not seek to intensify the use on site, just to simply provide additional areas during inclement weather. Therefore, they will not create any negative impact on the surrounding areas.”

The proposal was supported by Newport Town Council.

An officer report, recommending approval, said: “The proposed scheme is considered to be acceptable in terms of scale, form, use and design. The development will not cause an unacceptably detrimental impact to the special qualities of the national park.

"It is not considered that the development will cause an unacceptable impact upon privacy or amenity of neighbouring properties. Ecology and landscape features will not be adversely affected by the development.”

The application was conditionally approved by officers under delegated powers.