Fears that Narberth’s controversial old primary school development could be under threat have been expressed.

A new planning application for variation of two conditions to allow design changes and seven retail units has sparked concern for the future of the project from the town’s representative on Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. Wynne Evans.

“There has been significant changes in the state of play on this long running saga,” he told the Observer.

“A further planning application has been submitted to the planning department for a variation in one of the main units and the proposed start date has changed yet again,” he explained.

“This is the fourth time now that the proposed possible start dates and assurances have been given. I feel this whole situation is becoming somewhat concerning and I may be minded to say that this has become unacceptable, so therefore all involved should go back to the drawing board. I am also minded to insist the property be readvertised with considerations given to some local concerns and issues.”

Added Clr. Evans: “The only positive thing to come out of this is that I was happy to meet with representatives of Span this week to inform them to go ahead with their plant sale on site on April 30.”

FOOTNOTE: Narberth Town Council considered the planning application when they met on Tuesday, March 1. Councillors objected to it on the grounds that tiles now being proposed were concrete mixed ones and not slate as in the original plan and therefore not in keeping with the area. They also questioned the colour of the rendering and asked when the last ecological survey was carried out, given the school had been closed for more than five years, as evidence of bats had been found in other buildings in the town.