It looks almost certain that Narberth's former primary school is to be sold.

The decision to declare the school in Moorfield Road surplus to the requirements of Pembrokeshire County Council is due to be officially made by the cabinet on Monday.

The site will then be marketed for appropriate redevelopment.

The school ceased operation in June 2008 and no council service has an identified need for the building.

News of the disposal of the school comes less that a week after the town's county councillor questioned what was happening with the structure at a full meeting of council.

"This school closed 16 months ago and the building is now becoming a target for vandals, is in a deteriorating state, and in some places unsafe," he said at last Thursday's meeting.

Clr. Evans also asked: "Can I have assurances that in the event that the council puts the old school site in Narberth on the open market, the existing playground becomes part of the council's Town Moor car park, given that in view of possible car parking charges being introduced, this area would generate regular income for the authority for years to come, and also make available much-needed car park spaces in such a busy commercial town."

The leader of the council, Clr. John Davies, replied that the former Narberth School offered an opportunity for redevelopment which would contribute substantially to the commercial vitality which had made Narberth a success.

He said investigations had been completed into the likely effect of various forms of retail development, and marketing (of the site) had been held back pending an improvement in general economic conditions.

There were now indications that the property market was starting to recover and this, coupled with the continuing resilience of Narberth as a specialist retail destination, meant that the site would be brought forward for marketing if cabinet approval was to be given to declare the property surplus at its November meeting.

He said a final decision on actual disposal would be made once an offer was received for a suitable and fully funded development scheme.

He added that the former playground had been used for temporary car parking. This area was included in the school site and offered the opportunity to bring forward a comprehensive scheme that would enable re-positioning of the main car park access road, so that issues of pedestrian safety and maximising the number of parking spaces could be addressed.

This would allow safe and effective car parking provision and give the ability to develop the site in a form that utilised the physical features to best effect; allowing public space; creating a gateway into the central shopping area and separating vehicles and pedestrians.

He said any scheme would need to properly address car parking, together with other highways and transportation issues at the planning application stage.

This appraisal would consider the car parking requirements of the development in the context of the wider requirements for car parking for shoppers visiting the town centre as a whole.

To deal with the built area and playground separately would greatly impair the ability to achieve the possible benefits outlined.

Forum to discuss site's future

Narberth Future Forum will be calling a general meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 7.30 pm, at Bloomfield to discuss the future of the old school and site.

Said secretary Gordon Barry: "The Forum and other Narberth organisations are becoming increasingly disturbed with the lack of consultation and information from our county council.

"Our major concern being that the two fact finding reports carried out by PCC, specifically on the town, are still to be released.

"They are: The Retail Impact Assessment Study and The Narberth Traffic and Transportation review. Both are interlinked with the county council's instigated Pembrokeshire Parking Study by Colin Buchanan and Partners."

He continued: "These reports will have a significant impact on the future disposal and development of the premises known as the old Narberth CP School."

The forum will also be considering the status of the Village/Town Green and pay and display (support from the Open Spaces Society is forthcoming); the status of the school playground and the sale transfer covenant; investigation of legal challenges to both of the above.

Added Mr. Barry: "All people interested in the future of Narberth are invited to come along and contribute on November 10."

Who might be interested?

It's the question on everyone's lips - so who will be interested in redeveloping the old school site?

Well, we have contacted some of the interested local parties and the national companies to find out their reaction.

Paul Dando, Senior Pastor, Grace Church: "We are interested in viewing the site to see if it could be developed to serve the community and meet the requirements of Grace Church. The location is central for Narberth, it has the possibility of retaining the school yard for car parking, together with community activities and buildings. We would welcome the opportunity to survey internally and externally, and could then determine its suitability."

Asda: Chris Marlow, property communications manager, said: "We're keen to provide more communities with access to our award-winning offer and will look at any opportunities that allow us to do this."

Wetherspoons: Eddie Gershon said: "Wetherspoon is keen to open pubs in new areas and we would be happy to learn more about the disposal of the primary school in Narberth and its future use."

Tesco: Spokesman Felix Gummer said: "We will definitely look at this site once the council releases it."