Narberth's controversial mixed-use development plan for the former primary school took a dramatic turn this week, just minutes before the plan was given the green light.

The application by Knox and Wells Ltd., Abbeymore Estates, will see demolition of the former school buildings and erection of a convenience food-store, non-food retail units and residential apartments, with associated car parking and delivery area, plus re-alignment of existing accesses, car parking and public space.

But when it came before Tuesday's planning and rights of way committee of Pembrokeshire County Council, the stress faced by those trying hard to shoulder the responsibility for fighting the Narberth community cause became so painfully obvious when a Narberth Future Forum representative was suddenly and dramatically taken ill.

The gentleman was initially treated by one of the first aiders at County Hall before the arrival of the ambulance. It is understood the meeting was adjourned for around 15-20 minutes.

In a posting on an online petition calling for Pembrokeshire County Council 's planning department to allow people affected by the proposed development of the old school site in Narberth to be involved through real public consultation before a decision is made, it states: "But there was no offer to delay the decision. Instead, someone else had to be found to read the prepared statement (who couldn't answer questions because it wasn't their own statement).

"Our own Narberth councillor (who chooses not to attend town council meetings to find out how our community feels) proposed the development, despite having been the one who cancelled the community consultation. It was seconded. It was approved unanimously.

"My thoughts are with our representative and his family and I wish him a speedy and full recovery. We will take time to gather our thoughts, stop shaking (as you can imagine, over the course of the day there were many tears of shock, worry, frustration and thankfully relief at good news from the hospital) and consider our options.

"In the meantime, if you truly care about Narberth and our independent businesses visit Narberth, shop local and follow the Narberth, Pembrokeshire Facebook page to help keep Narberth a great place despite the challenges we will all now face. See http://www.facebook.com/ExploreNarberth&quot">www.facebook.com/ExploreNarberth"

Campaigners are also now considering delivering the petition to their county councillor and possibly the Welsh Assembly.

The campaigners added: "This battle may have been lost, but the long-term war to keep our little town and its character unique will now depend on continuing support for our small businesses from you, your friends, and the tourists."

At the time of going to press yesterday (Thursday), the petition had 350 supporters.

The planning application was unanimously approved subject to various conditions.

A statement issued by the local authority following the meeting said: "Pembrokeshire's planning and rights of way committee voted unanimously in favour of the proposed mixed-use development at Narberth that will bring a range of shops, together with much-needed affordable and market housing, to the town.

"The scheme is designed to add variety to the current successful mix of independent retail units, generate additional footfall and improve a key town centre site that has been redundant for more than five years.

"The development brief called for a retail-led, high quality mixed-use development and the approved scheme is designed to deliver this.

"The development brief was shared with key stakeholder groups and the developers also met with the town council.

"The planning application generated a substantial number of responses from statutory consultees, local groups and individuals and these were all considered at the meeting.

"The impact on parking was raised and a joint working group representing the county council, town council and Future Forum is to be established to review and examine additional parking options."

A spokesperson for Sainsbury's, who will be opening a store at the location, said: "We are very pleased with the decision and look forward to opening a Sainsbury's in Narberth in the near future, serving the local community and creating jobs for local people."

When contacted by the Observer, a statement from Narberth Future Forum said: "There had been a number of written objections and a spokesman from Narberth Future Forum was asked to speak to the committee along with a representative of Narberth Town Council.

"In their respective written submissions, both parties had expressed a number of concerns, including lack of consultation, parking issues, traffic flow problems, the size and type of traders able to afford the trade units and that the present nature of the town would radically alter due to the development.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Gordon Barry, who was to speak in respect for the forum, fell ill at the meeting and his co-speaker Clr. David Norcross read his statement instead.

"Mr. Barry wished the committee to appreciate, as do all other visitors to Narberth, that there are already major problems with regard to parking and that the loss of 27 places under the proposed development will only exaggerate the situation as there will be increased demand with the requirement of staff parking needed for the nine units and the Sainsbury's store. He also stated the lack of retail impact assessment that would have evaluated the effect on the current shops, traffic and parking. This review could also investigate the impact on existing community events that use the parking area such as the food, plant and children's festivals.

"Clr. Norcross then spoke on behalf of Narberth Town Council, stressing factors relating to the lack of consultation with the town on what is a major project despite that the developers had stated that they had done so in their written application. He expressed concerns that this part of the process had yet to be completed to comply with the spirit of planning regulations.

"He also questioned whether the size of the units would attract local businesses, given their cost, and that unless extremely careful, Narberth would become another High Street clone with its uniqueness destroyed. And in addition given that, already having three convenience stores, did Narberth need a forth?

"He continued by quoting from three of the county council's own documentation which stressed that Narberth required that 'the development would contribute to the character and appearance of the area and did not undermine the vitality and viability of the town centre.'

"He concluded that to fully evaluate the affect of the application, a retail impact study should be acquired before the planning application was presented to them.

"The county councillor for Narberth, Clr. Wynne Evans, who is also the vice-chair of the planning committee, then spoke fully supporting the application, dismissing the concerns of the objectors.

"The planning committee then passed the application without any further requirements added."