Sir,
Reading the story on the front page of last week's Observer about the decking outside the Hope and Anchor, I found myself wondering if the National Park Authority (PCNPA) is concentrating its energies in the right direction.
My observation of the site in question is that it is always very well presented and is one of the most attractive business premises in Tenby. I understand that the pub is consistently a leading site in the Tenby in Bloom competition. The improvements to the outside area a few years ago enhanced the site and contributed positively to the drive to encourage a 'cafe culture' in the summer. Is this not exactly what we are trying to encourage in our town?
By contrast, there are sites throughout the town where the opposite is true. Without labouring the point or repeating comments consistently made in your pages, we can all identify many sites that would benefit from having an owner that invests in them and contributes to the enhancement of our town.
Surely the PCNPA should be rigorously tackling those sites that diminish the beauty of Tenby and therefore in turn affect the whole of the Tenby economy.
I'd like to see both public bodies and property owners having a clearer responsibility to maintain, develop and enhance properties in the collective interest of the town and its community.
Perhaps it is time for the National Park Authority to reconsider its priorities and seek ways of tackling real problems rather than wasting time, energy and money in entirely the wrong direction.
L.Blackhall,
Tenby.