Local councillors are to oppose an application by the Resource Management Association (RMA) to dredge 1.8 tonnes of sand per annum for a period of 15 years from an area of the Western Bristol Channel, fearing that it could have an adverse effect on Tenby's beaches.
The RMA have applied to the Welsh Assembly Government for permission to extract marine aggregate from Area 486, located south of Carmarthen Bay and to the south-west of the Gower coastline.
Clr. Trevor Hallett brought a report he had compiled on the matter before his colleagues at their meeting on Tuesday evening.
"Tenby Town Council has long been concerned about general sand movement from our beaches, as we are one of the major tourist destinations in Wales and our sandy beaches are our magnets," said Clr. Hallett.
"This application is excessive in my opinion and my view is that the licence should be broken down into three separate periods of five years," he continued. Clr. Hallett also expressed his fears that the loss of Benthic Habitat through dredging would have an effect on the food chain of fish and shellfish and predators.
"If a licence is issued, we could see a loss in boat chartered sea angling through fish spawning and feeding areas being disturbed by continued dredging.
"Although we cannot say whether dredging has had a negative or positive effect on sand loss from our beaches, the sand loss seems to have been exacerbated since dredging activities have increased in the Bristol Channel," added Clr. Hallett, who felt a survey should be carried out on an annual basis.
Councillors agreed to support Clr. Hallett's views and felt that they should write expressing their concerns to Emu Ltd., who produced the draft Environmental Impact Assessment into the effects of marine aggregate extraction.
They also felt that they should write to local AM, Angela Burns, to gain her support on the matter, along with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.
"We're renowned for our beaches in Tenby and across the whole of Pembrokeshire, so the sand is vital to our lifestyle and economy," remarked Clr. Mike Evans.