Sir,
I read with interest the headline in your 'paper of October 10, 2003, that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has been forced to back down over its 'homes for locals' plan. It was stated that this is only a temporary setback as they are still pressing ahead with their onjective to bring this in under the joint Unitary Development Plan.
I would firstly ask what is a 'local' as far as housing policy is concerned and if it is residency, how long would you have to reside in Pembrokeshire to be determined local?
I would assume my children would be classed as local as they were born in Pembrokeshire, as were both my father and I. Both my my children are now employed in Cardiff after studying at Cardiff University. They would definitely not be classified as local to Cardiff as they have only been there a short time, although they now work there. How long do they have to reside in Cardiff to be classed as local to Cardiff?
And more importantly, what length of time do they have to reside away from Pembrokeshire to be declassified as local under the proposed Pembrokeshire Coast National Park policy. This proposed policy would deny them their basic human right, should they wish to return to their birthplace to live in a newly constructed house.
An interesting case cropped up at the Manorbier Community Council meeting on October 7 when planning permission was being sought for the construction of four new Housing Association properties on the Skrinkle estate. Concern was raised regarding the allocation of the properties as it seemed that preference would be given to potential occupiers who had the highest number of points and no account was to be taken regarding a local person's need.
I assume therefore that if the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park proposal goes ahead, national housing allocation policy for public housing which is currently based on a points system, irrespective of where you currently reside, will be abandoned. Vacated council and Housing Association properties would then take the allocation of prospective tenants from outside Pembrokeshire with the highest points, so I do not see what is gained.
It is time that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park came into the real world and allocated more land surrounding villages for housing for locals and indeed anyone wishing to reside in Pembrokeshire.
Malcolm Calver,
Gleann-na-Coille,
Pembroke Road,
Manorbier.