Sir,
I know, why don't we allow planning permission for more, at least 50, residential properties, which will be purchased as holiday homes and remain empty for about 46 weeks of the year, and while we're at it, why don't we give £47,000, just because it's lying in our coffers, to a building, namely the De Valence, that is making no money. Come on, is it just me or does anyone else think this is wrong. I've only lived in Tenby for 15 years and this really annoys me. I have no idea how people born and bred in the town must feel.
There are already flats being built on the site of the old magistrates court and work has been abandoned on these, so why build more? I was so pleased when I read comments in the Observer from a councillor saying that the work on these properties 'appeared' to have recently come to a halt, as I and everyone else on the Norton thought it was about two to three months ago!
There are already streets in the town that are nearly all holiday homes. If this carries on, there won't be enough permanent residents to support the local businesses, which is all too evident now. I know the business rates are high, but let's not forget the extortionate rents. Surely there can be some negotiating on these. No one is going to consider starting a business in Tenby with the rent and rates that are being charged.
Now to the £47,000 De Valence loan. Believe me, there are far more important things to read about in the Observer than councillors squabbling publicly over this building, but I'm sure there are businesses in the town who would benefit from a share of that money to keep them going over these difficult times, I would certainly welcome it.
I agree with Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane and her concerns when she said "Lots of businesses suffer at this time of year, but not everyone is reliant on a cash injection of £47,000, which is a third of a whole of the town council's income. We have to be very careful with what we do with that."
Again was it just Clr. Lane and myself that had concerns regarding this? If there is that amount of money just lying round, surely there are far better causes. Dare I suggest something that will benefit the youth of Tenby? I'm sure there are lots of youth projects and schemes that would benefit from £47,000, and whatever happened to the talk of a skate park? It seems it was only a good idea when somebody else did all the work and all you had to do was turn up for a photograph in the local paper.
I would also like to express my concerns over Clr. Evans's comments in the Observer a couple of weeks ago when he said Tenby's not dying. Well, pardon my ignorance, but was he walking round the same town? The new building (formerly the greengrocers) at the top of the High Street is still empty, the Sun has closed, the Folly Farm shop is apparently closing, and Woolworths, Ocky Whites and the butchers have now gone. Unfortunately, this is not all of the businesses that have closed or are closing. Woolworths was a big part of the town and it's going to take something special to fill that gap. What we certainly don't need are any more pound and charity shops.
This has been said before, I know, but we need to follow the example of Narberth. It has no big major outlets, but still manages to pull in the crowds with its variety of shops and places to eat. If you had the choice of going to Tenby or Narberth for a walk around the shops, and Tenby had the same variety of shops as Narberth, where would you go? I know where I'd choose. How can looking over the sea while having lunch or taking a walk on the beach be beaten?
We need to capitalise on what we have, not try to change it. As the saying goes, 'if it's not broken don't fix it'. People come to Tenby and towns like it because they want something different, to get away from all the retail parks and city life, and enjoy a few days in relaxing surroundings walking round shops they wouldn't find at home.
These are not just my views, but are shared with many people I have spoken to in the town who have just had enough watching this going on. Maybe we shouldn't just watch anymore and speak up.
J. Mills,
Tenby Cycles,
The Norton,
Tenby