While Pembrokeshire County Council currently remain tight-lipped over the matter, it seems that the row over controversial plans for a civic amenity site on the edge of New Hedges continues unabated.

The proposal by the council is to close the present Salterns site at Tenby and construct a brand new civic amenity and recycling centre on the main A478 road out of town.

The proposed development would incorporate an internal access road, site access improvements, erection of a compactor shed, canopy shed and welfare office, provision of containers, skips and igloos, staff and visitor parking, weighbridge area and quarantine area, lighting and site signage, fencing and landscaping works.

Location of the site, as is well known by now, is on land adjoining the Brooklands Nursing Home - and therein lies the problem.

For, since the idea was first mooted last year, a vociferous campaign has been mounted against the plan, including a petition to the Welsh Assembly Government calling for it to be thrown out.

Despite the objections, however, Pembrokeshire County Council have decided to proceed with the plan and since the application was finally submitted to the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority in February, our mailbag has been chock-full with correspondence about the highly contentious proposals.

And this week has certainly been no different, with several more letters received from concerned relatives of residents at the home and other interested parties, including one on behalf of the Brooklands residents themselves.

"Do Pembrokeshire County Council realise who they are dumping on?" they ask.

"We worked hard and fought for our Queen, country for our future and the younger generations. We now need help, for us to continue living in a pleasant, safe, peaceful environment. Put yourself in our shoes - would you like to live next door to a tip?

"Over the years we have been vets, nurses, GPs, farmers, teachers, headmasters and headmistresses, mechanics, policemen/women, postmistress and Mayoress, to say but a few.

"We have served next to Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten, one of us worked at Bletchley Park and on trade ships which were hit by mines. There are many war heroes and we have many medals between us.

"All we are looking for in life now is the simple things like peace and tranquility. Walking around the home and the gardens is part of our relaxation therapy. Our outdoor pursuits are evening teas, morning coffees, barbecues, picnics, planting in our small garden area, which all form part of our daily life.

"Please, please support us by writing to the National Park's Planning Department, Llanion Park, Pembroke Dock, and please quote the reference number NP/13/0093 on all your letters, as they will not be accepted without them."

A spokesperson for the National Park Authority said it was likely that the application would be considered at either the May or June meeting of their development management committee.

See also Letters page 10