A Narberth resident has spoken out this week over the controversial mixed use development at the former Narberth CP School.

In a letter to us, Mrs. Sue Rees said she was 'amazed' at how the plan had been 'railroaded through with no consultation taking place with any representatives of the community.'

Mrs. Rees continued: "There have been presentations made by the developer to a few people from the community, but no provision was made for input, no discussions have taken place with Sainsbury's and no serious considerations made for other uses of the site.

"It beggars belief that, in a town that historically has a notorious, extreme parking shortage, anyone can permit a developer to ensure a profitable outcome to their plans, by building dwellings on a large portion of the town's car park.

"Pembrokeshire County Council's only solution to the parking problems to date are to demolish the Scout Hut, the Bustop Youth Centre and the Narberth Youth Boxing Club, to use that land to create more parking."

Mrs. Rees continued: "I think it is very sad that the shareholders of any major supermarket chain need money so badly that they have to try to destroy the rare amenity we have in Narberth, of a vibrant, traditional, High Street, which has been for many years the envy of other towns in the country and which government is now busily trying to emulate in towns throughout the land. 

"There are plenty of sites in the town which have already been designated for housing and this development is neither necessary nor desirable."

And she added: "I was told by an officer of PCC that they had to sell the old school to help pay for the new one. However, I have since been informed that the old school has now been sold at a greatly reduced price due to the cost of clearing the site. It is a pity that the community was not given the same preferential terms.

"I hope that everyone who can see the ludicrousness of this situation, writes to Penny Mordon MP, Minister for High Streets (yes there is one), to insist this plan is investigated and to Mike Coupe, the CEO of Sainsbury's, to ask him to purchase the site and protect it from overdevelopment; build his small store if he must, but at least preserve, if not increase, the car parking.  Does he really want a store with no parking?"

The residential and retail plan was given the green light last week by county planners subject to conditions.

FOOTNOTE: This was Mrs. Rees's personal opinion, not as the Mayor of Narberth nor as a representative of Narberth Town Council.