Narberth residents look set to be disappointed in their bid to keep the town's old primary school for community use.

South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns has been told by the county council, which owns the building, that it is unlikely that anything other than commercial bids will be looked into.

"This is a real blow for the community, especially after so many people took the trouble to make their views known about what they would like to see happen to the old building," said Mrs. Burns.

A quarter of all households in the town took the trouble to complete a survey into the future of the site and 60 per cent of them wanted to see a community use.

However, Mrs. Burns has been told by the council that the site is likely to be declared surplus by the authority and then sold off - to the highest bidder.

"I have been told they want to 'realise its full value' and that it is highly unlikely that it will be considered for community use as Narberth already has two venues in the Bloomfield Centre and The Queen's Hall," added Mrs. Burns.

Local campaigners will also be saddened to hear that the council intends to include the school's playground in the sale - at the moment it is being used as a spillover car park for the town.

"The shortage of parking in Narberth is a critical problem and is something that could hold back the development of the town," said Conservative Parliamentary candidate Simon Hart.

"We would like to ensure that any redevelopment of the site maintains or enhances this vital asset."

When contacted by the Observer, Len Mullins, Pembrokeshire County Council's press and public relations officer, explained: "When a property in council ownership becomes vacant, a prime consideration is whether there is an alternative beneficial use for the authority.

"If and when this building is declared surplus to council requirements, the authority will be anxious to realise its full value in order to continue supporting the council's programme of school replacement and refurbishment.

"To this end, the council has recently opened a new £5 million primary school in Narberth.

"Any proposal for community purposes would need to be considered in relation to other buildings in the town which are already in community use.

"The council's position on car parking is that it aims to achieve a development on the site which increases the number of parking spaces and also improves access to the existing car park."

Narberth's local member, Clr. Wynne Evans, added: "The county council has always made it quite clear from the outset it was their preferred option to dispose of the school building to offset the cost of the new primary school.

"However, I intend by working together with Narberth Future Forum and other local organisations within the community, to hopefully put forward our thoughts and possible business plans to keep this building within the community.

"The cabinet at County Hall are likely to discuss this in January, and I would certainly hope a community supported and led bid would be considered.

"I will be working very hard to ensure that a community project becomes the preferred bidder, so the battle is not over yet; in fact, only now it's starting."

Narberth Future Forum, meanwhile, are also 'disappointed' with the current stand by the county council.

They, too, have been informed that a final decision will not be made until mid next year.

Discussion between the interested parties will continue to take place to resolve the situation to the mutual benefit of the town and county.

"The argument that Narberth already has two existing community venues is true - however, both these amenities were created by the major contribution, vision and hard work of the people of Narberth and indeed the ongoing maintenance thereof," said forum chairman, David Norcross, and secretary, Gordon Barry, in a joint statement.

"It should be noted that none of the suggested uses for the old school is in conflict with any of the existing facilities offered by the Queen's Hall or Bloomfield. Namely the library and a Tourist Information Centre or even small starter/business units incorporating training needs focused on the local community requirements.

"The retention of the school playground as part of the village green and thus an open space for the enjoyment of the town, remains a priority for the forum.

"The use of the playground as a limited daytime car park continues to be imperative to the business and social wellbeing of our burgeoning town.

"We urge that all interested parties come to the next meeting of the Future Forum on Thursday, September 25, at the Bloomfield Centre at 7.30 pm.