Tenby councillors are to request a site meeting with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority officers to voice their concerns over ambitious plans to redevelop a prominent site in the town.
At a meeting of the town council on Tuesday night, members discussed plans submitted to the National Park by Dovey Estates Ltd. and Mr. Graham Fry to demolish the former Delphi Hotel in South Parade and all existing buildings in Upper Park Road.
The application then is for the subsequent construction of 16 self-contained apartments on the first, second and part third floor, with four commercial units on the ground floor.
Town councillors have called for the National Park's development management committee to defer the application, which is scheduled for discussion at a meeting on December 17, until they can hold a site meeting.
"I'd like to recommend that we call for a site meeting with National Park officers over this application, as I know that a lot of neighbours close to this site have raised their concerns," commented Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane.
Although councillors agreed that they wished to see some form of development in the area, they were concerned with a number of aspects of the particular plans on display, especially if part of the scheme proved detrimental to the War Memorial Gardens.
"The gardens are in memory of generations of people; it would be wrong to develop there and totally inappropriate at the rear of the cenotaph," claimed Clr. Paul Rapi.
The town clerk, Mr. Andrew Dasvies, said that he had been in contact with Pembrokeshire County Council, who had received no notice of any development on the gardens, which were owned by them.
Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown also criticised the plans for not containing enough details.
"It would be great to have some new development in that area of Tenby, but it has to fit in with the rest of the town," added Clr. Rapi.
Councillors also cited over-development and loss of trees as cause for further concern and agreed to forward their comments to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority as well as requesting a site meeting.