St Davids ‘Bug Farm’ expansion given the go-ahead

Plans for improvements at a popular Pembrokeshire visitor attraction have been approved by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners.

Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm, near St Davids, has been granted permission to remove and replace an existing post-war shed with a modern building.

The plans are aimed at helping the attraction maintain and develop its farming, research and educational facilities, while also allowing the business to extend the season for its visitor experience.

The Bug Farm was established by Dr Sarah Beynon, combining her interests in farming, academic research and education.

The attraction includes a tropical bug zoo, bug museum, Nature Recovery Centre, farming history museum, farm trails, indoor play barn and other facilities. It is also home to Grub Kitchen, the UK’s first edible insect café.

Documents submitted as part of the application said the existing shed, which was originally used for farm machinery, was no longer practical or feasible to repair.

The replacement will provide additional educational opportunities and complement the other farm buildings on the site.

Planning officers concluded the development would be unlikely to adversely affect the special qualities of the National Park and described the proposal as well designed in terms of its materials, scale and siting.

The application has now been conditionally approved.

Photo Credit: The Pembrokeshire Herald