The ongoing controversy over the retail and residential development of Narberth's former primary school continued this week.

In the latest twist, two of the town's organisations are in dispute over a meeting between the developers and county council planners.

Discussion was sparked at the town council's monthly meeting, held on Tuesday, when next week's round-the-table discussion involving Narberth Forum came under the spotlight.

Monday's scheduled meeting was arranged after the forum raised concerns over the plans, but councillors were dismayed that Sainsbury's - who are to open a Local store at the site - had cancelled a meeting with them because they thought the council was involved in the County Hall event.

However, that appears not to be the case.

Clr. David Norcross, who is also chairman of the forum, explained to his council colleagues that spaces are limited at the meeting due to the size of the room the meeting will be held and the forum had carefully chosen its eight or nine representatives in a bid to cover all areas of representation.

"We should have had an invitation," opined Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Rees.

Adding: "You cannot have a discussion on a major development without the town council being invited."

Although there would be two town councillors attending the meeting - Clrs. David Norcross and Donna Hole - they would be attending in their right as forum members and not town councillors.

"This is not a slight on the town council or a deliberate exclusion," continued Clr. Norcross.

"This meeting was arranged following the forum's letter to the county council," he continued.

"We were under the impression Sainsbury's were having their own meeting with the council."

As a result, it was agreed the town council would contact Sainsbury's again and explain the situation and reschedule their own meeting.

FOOTNOTE: When the Observer contacted Sainsbury's for a comment, a spokeswoman told us: "We have a legal agreement in place to lease a unit for a Sainsbury's Local in the wider development in the former school in Narberth. The developer for the overall scheme has submitted a planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council, which is available online. We await the outcome of this application."