The Council for National Parks is seeking leave to appeal against the High Court's judgment that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's decision to grant outline planning permission for the Bluestone development was lawful. Ruth Chambers, CNP's head of policy, said: "We have thought long and hard about the disappointing judgment from the High Court and our trustees unanimously decided to seek leave to appeal because of the implications of the Bluestone judgment for all National Parks, in Wales and England. "We are appealing on the planning aspect of the judgment as we do not believe that the National Park Authority acted lawfully when it decided to put the developer's claims of 600 jobs before its own planning rules which do not allow major developments in the National Park except in exceptional circumstances. "We do not dispute that Bluestone would bring some economic benefit to the area, but our view remains that the development does not have to be located in the National Park in order for it to proceed. "We are also concerned that if it goes ahead, the Bluestone development would set a dangerous precedent because it is the first major tourism development of this kind to be located in a National Park and because it has been approved contrary to national and local policies which are designed to protect the National Park. "CNP is a small charity with limited resources, but we have decided to fight on and are greatly encouraged by the messages of support we have received from people in Pembrokeshire and, indeed, throughout Wales and the rest of the UK, many of whom have urged us to appeal against the High Court judgment. "If our application for appeal is granted, we shall be asking the court for this to be heard as quickly as possible." After hearing news of the appeal, chairman of the National Park Authority, Clr. Stephen Watkins, expressed his surprise and disappoinment, "especially in the light of the full and closely reasoned judgment provided." "We very much regret the further period of uncertainty which has again been introduced to this important issue after such an extensive and exhaustive process and would hope that this matter can finally be resolved as speedily as possible," he said. "The National Park Authority will robustly oppose the granting of leave to appeal and has already made an initial submission to the judge." Said Bluestone Chief Executive William McNamara: "To date, Bluestone has passed every stage of the democratic planning process from full approval by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government to confirmation by the Ombudsman and the High Court that the process has been legally and properly conducted. Our legal team is obviously considering this latest application. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, we are unable to comment further at this point."
