Local councillors have said that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority should 'hang their heads in shame' over issues concerning the condition of the site of the former Gatehouse Hotel in Tenby.

Tenby town councillors reacted angrily to a response they received recently from the authority following a request for urgent action to be taken to improve the poor condition of the site.

The derelict site and other buildings are the subject of an application for a multi-million pound scheme by developers South Terrace Properties Ltd, but the National Park does not believe that the current condition of the site is detrimental on the amenity of the surrounding area.

As a result, councillors agreed to call for a crisis meeting to discuss their concerns over issues surrounding the site with the National Park Authority and Pembrokeshire County Council, appealing for urgent improvements to be made.

However, further correspondence from the National Park Authority's director of park direction and planning, Jane Gibson, received at Tuesday night's meeting of the town council, left councillors scratching their heads.

"The members voted not to take further action, although they too expressed their concerns regarding the negative impact that Mr. Fry's properties are having on Tenby," wrote Mrs. Gibson, who said that she had received an email from the applicants to explain that weeds would be cut and treated behind the hoardings around the site.

"Your members also asked for an urgent meeting between National Park and County Council officers to discuss the way forward on this issue.

"I regret that there is little we as officers can do to force an applicant to commence development (apart from the five years required on the planning permission). As we know the applicant has advised us that they will hopefully be starting soon," she added.

Town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, told members that he had received a more positive response from Pembrokeshire County Council with regard to holding a crisis meeting on the matter, with the authority's head of regeneration, Martin White, stating that he would be delighted to attend any meeting to discuss a way forward.

A response had also been received from local MP Simon Hart, who said that he would write to the National Park Authority in support of the town council.

"We thank the County Council for being on the ball in wanting to hold a meeting on this, as we are in a mess in Tenby on this matter," said Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown.

"Something should have been done regarding the hoarding around that site by now; it's only going to get worse.

"I'm very disappointed by the response from the National Park Authority, if we don't push this issue heavily now, we could be sitting here in another five years in the same situation," she added.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall said that quite why National Park members had voted not to take any action, he couldn't explain.

"In the the National Park's 60th anniversary year, they should hang their heads in shame over this matter.

"It's fantastic that the County Council have responded and I think we should set a date for a meeting to discuss one of the blights on the whole landscape of the National Park and ask them are you coming or not?" remarked Clr. Blackhall.