The Council for National Parks has been refused permission to appeal against a High Court judgement that Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's decision to grant permission for the Bluestone holiday village development near Narberth was lawful. Judge Justice Jacks ruled on Monday that the appeal by CNP against the Park Authority had no real prospect of success. The case which CNP sought to take to appeal was that the economic benefit to Pembrokeshire could not be a material consideration in their consideration of the relevant policy. However, the developers claim that the £60 million project, which would include more than 300 timber lodges, water and snow attractions, a sports club and spa, would create 900 jobs. The CNP has also now been told by the judge that it will not have to pay the legal costs of the Park Authority.

COSTS ORDER WELCOMED Welcoming the costs decision, Ruth Chambers, CNP's head of policy, said: "CNP had presented arguments to the judge that the challenge made to the Bluestone planning decision was in the 'public interest'. "The judge has accepted this and has also taken CNP's charitable status into account in making no order for costs in respect of the developer or the National Park Authority. "We warmly welcome the judge's decision on costs, which is a trail-blazing decision for all those fighting for better access to the legal justice system.

NATIONAL PARK VIEW

Clr. Stephen Watkins, chairman of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, commented: "We're pleased that the judge has refused leave to appeal, but surprised and disappointed that the authority has not been awarded its costs in successfully defending this action."

BLUESTONE COMMENT

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 independent confirmation by the Ombudsman and the High Court that the process has been legally and properly conducted. "This judgement by Judge Justice Jacks is yet further vindication of the great diligence that has been taken at every stage of this planning application in order to ensure that due process was followed. Indeed, his judgement acknowledged the professional and thorough way in which Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority determined the application. "It has always been our belief that Bluestone is an environmentally and economically beneficial project for Pembrokeshire. Now that the legal processes have been followed and the people of Pembrokeshire have voted democratically in favour of it, the time has come to get on and deliver it. Hopefully, we will be allowed to do just that."