Local councillors expressed their disappointment this week over discussions that took place recently regarding issues surrounding the former Gatehouse Hotel site.

Councillors met with Pembrokeshire County Council's head of regeneration, Mr. Martin White, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's director of park direction and planning, Mrs. Jane Gibson, last week, to express their main concerns about the site.

The two main points were - what can be done to improve the appearance of the site for the coming tourist season, and what can be done if development does not commence on the Gatehouse and the associated sites?

Councillors outlined all the concerns and frustrations that had accumulated over the months, with everyone stating that they wished to see the development happen, but they couldn't understand why there seemed to be delay after delay on work progressing, with the sites continuing to deteriorate.

The question was asked as to how long it was before action could be taken to enforce improvement, as it was felt that the condition of the various sites was having a detrimental effect on Tenby's economy and tourism.

Mr. White said that on behalf of the county council, they understood and agreed with the concerns for the local economy, and that they sympathised and empathised with the strong feelings felt by the Tenby community.

Mrs. Gibson explained that National Park officers had worked hard with the applicant to obtain the current planning permission and considered that the Park had made timely contribution to progressing the development of the landowner's various sites in Tenby.

Mr. White and Mrs. Gibson agreed that they would both report back to their respective chief executives, to state the concerns of the town councillors and the general public.

It was added that a county council building control officer would visit the site to inspect the hoardings, while a request would be put to the National Park building conservation officer to carry out a condition review of the Gatehouse sites.

Speaking at Tuesday night's meeting of the town council, Clr. Mrs. Sandra Williams said she felt disappointed with the input of the National Park Authority's director of park direction and planning, at the meeting, with her fellow member Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter agreeing.

"It was a very disappointing meeting. We didn't have any real answers to questions we've been asking constantly, and we virtually begged them at that meeting to help us with our concerns," said Clr. Mrs. Rossiter.

"It's time to go higher now with our concerns and take them to the Welsh Assembly Government I feel," she added.

The town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, told members that he had received a response from the county council since the meeting to say that one of their building inspectors had been out to check the integrity of the existing hoardings at the site and stated that, from a safety perspective, no openings were found which would permit access to the site.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall said that councillors had asked for regular meetings to take place now between the town council and the authorities on the matter, so he was expecting further discussions in the next four to six weeks.

"The state of the site is a blight on the National Park and the county council, and it's on our doorstep here in Tenby.

"They must never be allowed to forget this and we must keep pushing them with our concerns. Rather worryingly, someone reported to me that they'd seen a rat on the site this week, which is awful if true and shows the real concerns we have over its state," remarked Clr. Blackhall.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that councillors' pleas to the authorities had been heartfelt and passionate at the meeting and that the only way to succeed in making progress on improving the site was to continue to badger the authorities.

"Progress has to be started on that site and we need to keep on making our presence felt. I'm sure that most of the people of Tenby are behind us in our attempts, otherwise the site will remain as it is for another five years," she commented.