Plans to site a micro-brewery and visitor centre at a disused school in Saundersfoot, have left local residents with a bitter taste in their mouth.

An application for the change of use of the Old School on The Ridgeway, proposing the development of a micro-brewery and visitor centre, to include the provision of a stainless steel flue and parking facilities, has been submitted to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority planning officers, by applicants the Pembrokeshire Brewing Company.

However, residents living near the proposed site, say that concerns relating to road safety and traffic matters in that area have been long-standing, and that such a development would only add to the problems, causing potential delays for emergency vehicles travelling to and from Saundersfoot Medical Centre on Westfield Road, where the access entrance site of the brewery is being proposed.

Locals say they are also surprised by the lack of information that has been circulated by the National Park Authority on the proposals to residents, with public notices only now due to go up at the site this week, and a deadline given of November 29, for comments on the application to be submitted to the authority.

"This is the wrong place for a development of this sort in what is a conservation area and would surely result in a major change for what is a quiet residential area of the village," said one of the residents objecting to the plans.

"The site is not a suitable place for a commercial premises which is next to church grounds and already busy with traffic congestion from people going to the doctor's surgery.

"It is dangerous enough coming out of there as it is, without large lorries manoeuvring directly opposite the entrance.

"There have been three bad accidents on this road in the last three years, and large lorries going in and out of a brewery on this site, will only cause more problems," they added.

Villagers say they are disappointed that the proposals seem to have been kept under wraps until now, keeping residents in the dark and giving them only a short amount of time to submit their objections.

"Most local residents were unaware of the proposed changes being considered and no thought whatsoever seems to have been given to the residents who live here 52 weeks a year and would be subjected to increased noise, smell and levels of traffic," explained one resident.

"We were left worried that the plans would be dealt with by planning officers by means of delegation and not go to the National Park's full development management committee, so we hope that more locals will now be made more aware of the plans and be able to put forward their comments to the authority before the deadline.

"Yes, it's a shame to see the Old School House standing empty and neglected, but we do not wish to see it turned into commercial use with the smell of fumes and noise that would come from a brewery on our doorstep.

"This proposed change of use would attract more transport and people to what is already a congested area, and with the brewery planned to be opened seven-days-a week, until 8 pm at night, we feel that this is the wrong sort of development for this area," they added.

A special meeting to discuss the planning application has been arranged by Saundersfoot Community Council to take place on Wednesday in the Regency Hall at 6 pm.