Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's chief executive believes a hotel may not be replaced on the site of the former Royal Gate House Hotel in Tenby when it is redeveloped.

Recently, Tenby Town Council formed a small 'working party' to take on board feedback from the town's people and also put forward the views of the council as to what they would like to see happen to the site.

Correspondence from PCNPA chief executive, Mr. Nic Wheeler, was brought before members at their meeting on Tuesday evening in response to views they had put forward about rebuilding a hotel on the site to replace the former facility that was demolished following an Easter bank holiday fire. However, in his letter, Mr. Wheeler explained that retention of a hotel may not be so simple.

"In the protracted discussions that have been taking place concerning the redevelopment of this whole area in recent years, we have tried to be flexible in our approach on this issue, as we didn't want any viability constraint to hinder an overall solution," he said.

"Although there hasn't been a formal decision as such, the retention of a hotel might not be possible (and might indeed hinder finding a solution) and my own personal feeling is that perhaps we should concentrate with the owner on seeking to improve and retain the Lion Hotel, which itself is in need of further work to retain its viability in the current economic tourist climate," concluded Mr. Wheeler's response.

However, in addressing his fellow town council members, Clr. Mike Thorne explained that there was a perfectly simple policy in place for hotels as part of the JUDP that recommended against converting hotels into residential units.

Mr. Thorne also explained that as part of the policy, a hotel's viability had to be fully tested before a decision could be made, and to his knowledge this had not been done.

"This policy has to be applied to the Lion and Royal Gate House Hotels and it should be adhered to and vigorously enforced," he stressed.

"The idea that some kind of deal has been done to lose a hotel on the Gate House site, but retain the Lion Hotel, is right outside the policy; it is not up to the chief executive to consider the hotel's viability, which it appears he has done already by his comments, but it should be put to the authority's full committee, which to my knowledge has not been done."

Agreeing with her colleague, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said she didn't understand the thinking behind Mr. Wheeler's comments either. Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter felt that, although she would ideally love to see a hotel put back on the site, it would just not be a viable proposal.

"Hotels are struggling everywhere, I just don't think it would be a viable option," she commented. Clr. Mrs. Julie Evans believed that the town council's 'working party', formed to monitor the situation, was doing a worthwhile job.

"This is why we agreed to form the party so that we could put forward the views of the town's people and keep an eye on proceedings," she said. Clr. Thorne also told members that the National Park's buildings conservation officer, Rob Scourfield, had said that the rest of the hotel's building had now been delisted and could be demolished, as it had been concluded that the ballroom didn't merit preservation. The panelling, however, would be kept.

Mr. Scourfield had also stated that he would arrange a meeting with the developers to discuss what could be done to make the hoardings around the site more attractive.

Councillors agreed to write back to Mr. Wheeler with their views on the matter and also expressing their concern over his comments.

AM CALLLS FOR SITE TO BE CLEARED

The pile of rubble on the site of the former hotel needs to be removed as soon as possible, said South Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Angela Burns this week.

Mrs. Burns has written to owner Graham Fry to request that he gives an update on his plans to clear up the eyesore.

"A lot of people worked hard to get the hotel safely demolished and to enable traffic and tourists to move freely around the town once again," she said. "I hope that the removal of the unsightly pile of rubble will be carried out with the same sense of urgency and I have asked Mr. Fry to update me on his plans to make the seafront as aesthetically pleasing as possible, which in turn will maximise the benefits to the town from visiting tourists."