Sir, The draft plans recently submitted to re- develop the former Cobourg Hotel garage and adjoining property in Upper Frog Street, Tenby, propose to build on one of the outstanding private and 'secret' gardens left inside the town walls. This property was until recently in the ownership of the Horner family for approximately 250 years and the garden and ancient wall (with steps up to the battlements) was carefully maintained by them as part of the medieval heritage of Tenby. I wish to express my grave concern to the planning committee about the tragic loss of such a unique space within the town walls which could be shared with visitors through a more sympathetic design. If the property is to be redeveloped as part of Tenby's commercial growth, I suggest that any discerning visitors finding such a space either as part of their accommodation or as a client at a café or restaurant would be immediately attracted by the unique qualities of the space which a proprietor could sensitively exploit commanding premium prices for its exclusiveness. I sincerely hope the committee members consider this proposal very carefully and balance history, ecology and aesthetics with commercial enterprise because once this garden has been damaged by construction it will be permanently lost.
Karnia Rooney (née Horner)