Narberth Future Forum, a community umbrella group drawn from the various interested groups within the Narberth area, has joined the controversial campaign against plans for the redevelopment of the former primary school in the town.

Although Sainbury's confirmed this week that they would be opening a store as part of the proposed development for the site, the Forum's secretary, Gordon Barry, has written to Pembrokeshire County Council's planning department with a number of comments that the group wished them to note when the application was presented to them.

The comments include the current independent mix of quality retail shops not appearing to be enhanced or complemented by the planning proposals of a café, a bakers, hot food outlet, nursery, betting shop, Sainsbury's, no retail 'impact statement' having been produced to investigate effect of this development, and a general loss of parking available to the town.

This includes the loss of the existing 'playground's 60-plus spaces', the additional parking requirement by the staff and owner/managers of the new retail shops and the additional customer requirements for the Sainsbury's store. In addition, general loss of disabled spaces. There were no disabled spaces allocated for the social rented flats and there was multiple HGV access and parking conflicts, together with mix of flat residents parking requirements.

Members of the Forum were also concerned that there had been no effort in consulting locals/residents with any of the plans.

"The lack of consultation could open the way for judicial review at a later stage," said Mr. Barry in the letter, which also asks 'what considerations were given to the existing community events, such as the food festival, plant sale, children's festival etc as all contribute to the financial wellbeing of the town?'

Added Mr. Barry: "These points need to be addressed by the planning committee when they consider this very important development to the town of Narberth."