Discussions on a revision of policies included in the Local Development Plan took place recently, with a sub-committee of Tenby Town Council meeting to draw up their recommendations.

Minutes of the meeting of the LDP policy consultation sub-committee came before members of the town council on Tuesday night.

It was agreed that Clr. Laurence Blackhall be appointed chairman of the sub-committee, with member Dr. Peter Easy commenting that the draft LDP was a comprehensive document outlining the policies the National Park would follow in relation to development over the 10-year lifespan of the plan.

Once agreed, many of the policies within would be statutory obligations and would govern how development would be managed up to 2031.

It was felt that the sub-committee should focus on the policies that would have a direct bearing on Tenby.

The main issues identified were - housing, shopping and visitor economy.

On shopping, all agreed that the policy on Primary Frontage needed to be enlarged to protect Tenby’s retail environment and to ensure that the town has sufficient A1 usage to sustain year-round activity.

Current LDP Policy is that there should be no more than 1/3 non-A1 outlets within the Primary Frontage and no more than three non-A1 units in a row.

Members of the sub-committee agreed that if the Primary Frontage of the town was extended, then a one-third non-retail ratio would be acceptable as it would dilute density.

It was recommended that the sub-committee would respond to the consultation outlining concerns over the deliverability of affordable housing provision; request extension of the Primary Frontage of the town to be extended to include all of the Walled Town and streets fronting the Conservation Area following consultation.

It was stated that once the Deposit Plan was available for consultation, including the final register of Candidate Sites and confirmed housing figures, the council should then publish a summary, to encourage all to have a say as this would be the time to put forward arguments to safeguard areas from undesirable development.

The sub-committee recommended that detailed consideration should be given to all proposed candidate sites once the deposit map is received to see if they tally with the Candidate Register in relation to projected housing numbers and delivery. This should be taken in conjunction with identified community asset land which may require safeguarding.

Members of the town council agreed to accept the recommendations put forward by the LDP policy consultation sub-committee.