Plans for a new home for the owners of a well-established Ceredigion boat and machinery storage centre to allow them to keep an eye on equipment worth as much as £1m have been refused “with a heavy heart” as the applicant had not provided enough information.

In an application previously brought before the September meeting of Ceredigion County Council’s development management committee, Mr and Mrs Hemming, of Cambrian Marine Centre, Tegfan, Aberaeron sought permission for a new dwelling in connection with the business, home to a number of pleasure craft, associated workshops and offices.

It was recommended for refusal at that meeting on the grounds it “fails to satisfy the functional and other dwellings test as set out [within TAN6 policy].”

Agent Paul Nicholls, of ArchiSpec Architectural Consultants Ltd had said Cambrian Marine Centre covered “the entirety of the west coast,” dealing with “big names” in the marine world, the parents of the concern planning to retire, and the applicants “consider it essential” to be on-site when they take over to protect stock valued as much as £1m.

Members heard neighbouring businesses had previously been the victim of “sophisticated thefts,” and any such theft would do “reputational damage” to the business for boat owners, who “hand over their boats with confidence”.

Committee members at the meeting debated the officer recommendation and the “messy” application, agreeing to a ‘cooling-off’ period for further discussion with the applicant on the housing need, the application returning to the October meeting when it was again recommended for refusal.

Members heard that no further supporting information had been submitted in support of the application, which had “been on the books for over two years,” when the Cooling Off Group met; head of planning for Ceredigion Russell Hughes-Pickering telling members a “lobbying email” had been received on the eve of the October meeting, adding: “My view is you are only in a position to refuse this application. The additional information wasn’t provided.”

He said the applicant would have two future routes available if the application was refused, to appeal, or “submit a clean high-quality application will all the information requested”.

Cllr Rhodri Evans proposed members support the officer recommendation of refusal, saying the applicant would “have a free go” if they re-submitted with all requested information.

Cllr Gareth Lloyd said: “There support is there in principle I fell, what was needed was evidence to help us strengthen the response on policies; the reason for the cooling-off was for more information.”

Cllr Marc Davies said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have to look at refusal, but there would be a ‘free go’. It is sad, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles…”

Members backed the recommendation to refuse the scheme, with committee chair Cllr Ifan Davies expressing his hope it would lead to “a stronger application” being submitted in the future.