Plans to rebuild and renovate a fire-ravaged Pembrokeshire seaside pub have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

In an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners, Pleasure Inns Ltd sought permission for alterations and refurbishment works to the Duke Of Edinburgh Inn, Newgale, including a change of use of first floor manager accommodation and letting units to a bar/restaurant area.

The Duke of Edinburgh was severely damaged during a blaze in the early hours of January 16.

The fire burned through the roof of the two-storey building which consisted of the ground floor pub with accommodation above, causing significant damage.

It took fire crews from St Davids, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Fishguard crews around six hours to bring the blaze under control.

Local community council Nolton and Roch has supported the proposed the works to the pub, saying: “Community Councillors feel the plans are well-considered, attractive and will certainly enhance Newgale, both visually and as an excellent service for tourists and locals alike.

“The Duke of Edinburgh public house is synonymous to Newgale and has been enjoyed by tourists and locals for several generations, and the local community look forward to the planned refurbishments and normal business resuming at the property in the near future.”

A supporting statement, through agent A D Architectural Design Consultants Ltd, said: “As part of the proposal, the entire internal layout will be re-arranged and given a complete re-vamp. The ground floor layout will remain as existing, apart from the introduction of a new staircase and lift, providing access to the proposed first floor bar and restaurant areas.

“The entire provision of first floor accommodation will be omitted from the proposed scheme, minimising any risk of impact from the flood zone.  Additionally, the overall footprint of the building will be reduced as part of the proposal, with the existing front entrance porch being demolished and replaced with a ‘post-supported’ balcony above, providing an external seating area to the proposed bar and restaurant areas.

“With the afore-mentioned existing entrance porch being demolished, the proposed main entrance will be located as part of the proposed southern corner glazing, providing an internal glazed lobby, which then provides access into the proposed entrance bar.”

An officer report said amended plans “to incorporate a more traditional appearance to the central part of the public house” had been submitted.

The report, recommending approval, said: “The pub dates back to the turn of the century, having been previously built on the other side of the road according to a historic newspaper article and was moved to the landward side of the road after storm damage.

“The use of the site as a public house has not been lost as result of the fire, and so the principle of restoring the building to its original use is acceptable, and although it is in a flood plain, as it is an existing use and is not being extended beyond the existing footprint, it does not contravene the principles of building in the flood plain.”

It added: “If this were a new-build application, it would be contrary to the principles of the Local Plan, but as it is the refurbishment of an existing building with an existing lawful use, it can be supported.”

National Park planners granted approval with a long string of conditions.

Fire investigation

Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) immediately undertook a fire investigation to determine the cause of the fire earlier this year.

"The outcome of the fire investigation was inconclusive due to the extent of damage in the area of the building where the fire most likely first started,” a spokesperson for the service said.

“There were no suspicious circumstances so it will be recorded as accidental undetermined.”