Planning permission for an outline application which would see the construction of 144 new homes on greenfield land north of the centre of Tenby is being recommended to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee.

The outline application submitted by Pembrokeshire County Council with all matters reserved for 102 affordable residential units, 8 shared ownership residential units and 34 open market residential units together with associated access, drainage and landscaping, on land at Brynhir is set to go before PCNPA’s planning committee on Wednesday, with the case planning officer Nicola Gandy recommending that the application be delegated to the Chief Executive/Director of Planning/Team Leader to grant planning permission subject to an acceptable appropriate assessment, and conditions.

In a report that is set to go before PCNPA’s committee at their meeting to be held at Llanion Park in Pembroke Dock, on Wednesday (March 18) Ms Gandy states: “Notwithstanding the objections raised, following consideration of the policies contained within the Local Development Plan and National Planning Policy in the form of Planning Policy Wales (Edition 10, 2018) and having regard to all material considerations it is considered that the proposal will be in keeping with the aims of the LDP in that the development is considered to provide new affordable and open market residential properties, whilst sustaining the local character of the National Park and not adversely impacting on ecology or highway safety.”

The recommendation in the report states that: ‘The completed Section 106 legal agreements will be required within six months of the date of the meeting, and if not completed within this timeframe, officers will be able to use their discretion to refuse the application under delegation procedures as the proposal would be contrary to LDP policies.’

In the report it is stated that Pembrokeshire County Council’s education department were consulted in respect of potential contributions to education based upon the open market houses, with PCC advising that there is sufficient capacity in both primary and secondary schools in Tenby to accommodate pupils, and as such, there is no requirement for a contribution.

The application site is currently comprised of a field and part of two adjoining fields. The main central field is surrounded along all boundaries by dense trees and hedgerows.

The trees surrounding the boundary of the central field are protected by a Tree Protection Order as are a number of trees along the bridal path located to the north east of the site. Tenby Conservation area adjoins the site to the south.

Dyfed Archaeological Trust were consulted on the application and raised no objection to the proposal subject to a condition requiring a written scheme of investigation.

Cadw were also consulted on the scheme, and advised that there are no scheduled ancient monument’s that would be affected by the proposal.

The application site is screened from Tenby cemetery, an element of the conservation area, by trees, which are to be retained, it is therefore considered that the development will not have an adverse impact on Tenby Conservation Area.

Furthermore the impact of design, layout and landscaping on the conservation area will be considered in detail at reserved matters stage. Subject to a condition requiring a written scheme of archaeological investigation the proposed development is not considered to have an adverse impact on the historic environment.

Whilst landscaping is a matter reserved for future consideration the application has been accompanied with an Arboricultural Impact Assessment, which states that a total of 31 trees will have to be removed to accommodate the proposed development.

An indicative landscaping plan was also submitted which indicate that additional native tree planting and scrub planting will take place, however, as this is a reserved matter the detail will be considered at a future stage. The plan also indicates that hedgebanks will be provided along the proposed access route and species rich grassland areas and wildflower areas will also be incorporated in the landscaping of the scheme.

The application site proposes a 5m wide wildlife corridor along the boundaries of central field. Given the sensitivity of the site the appropriate screening under the Habitats Regulations is required.

The application has been accompanied with a drainage strategy developed following on site infiltration tests for soakaways, which suggested permeability and therefore infiltration. It is proposed that surface water will be channeled to a watercourse to the south west corner of the site.

PCC have also advised that they are not aware of any historic flood event affecting the site. Dwr Cymru have assessed the application and have raised no objections to the proposal subject to a condition. The application site is located outside of any flooding zone.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) commented on the application and raised concerns in respect of lacking information, this information has since been submitted and at the point of writing this report is being considered by NRW, with a verbal update to be provided at the Committee meeting.

A number of ecological conditions have already been proposed including a lighting scheme, a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan, and a Construction Environmental Management Plan.

NRW have assessed the proposed mitigation in respect of protected species , together with the native tree and scrub planting proposed along the access road, which will act as an ecological buffer zone, and consider that the development is not likely to be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerned.

Although landscaping is reserved for future consideration a condition is recommended which includes a belt of thorny shrubs which skirts the retained hedgerow habitat, the details of which will be agreed at reserved matters stage.

NRW highlighted the importance of minimizing any illumination of the northern section of the wildlife corridor and reducing the impacts of street lighting, security lighting etc.

Members of Tenby town council have previously given their backing to the proposals, stating that the development will bring much needed affordable housing provision for locals to the area.

Campaigners opposing the development have warned that the ‘beautiful fields of Brynhir’ are about to become a ‘concrete jungle’ unless the application is withdrawn by PCC or refused by PCNPA’s planning committee.

“There are many places in Pembrokeshire more suitable for development for social housing than this site which is difficult for a number of sound financial reasons, which is why no commercial developer was interested in taking it on,” stated the Tenby Greenspace Preservation Society

“The council paid themselves £4 million for the land (which they already owned) to fix a black hole in their budget and now they want to spend millions more in developing this site for no good reason,” they claim.

“They are happy to spend millions of our money digging up trees and ancient hedgerows, contributing to the congestion and road safety issues on the Narberth Road.

“If you agree with us that this should stop here, now is the critical time to stop this. Please join our local voices in demanding that the Pembrokeshire County Council withdraw this application and if they won’t, to demand that the National Park turns it down to protect our lovely town from the ravages of overdevelopment.”