PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Among planning applications recently considered by Narberth Town Council were the following: 2 Bloomfield Terrace, Narberth - alterations and extension (no objection to the Listed Building consent or the planning application). Plot adjacent Redstone Mill, Redstone Road, Narberth - erection of one dwelling and garage (objection for following reasons: knowing plot - committee felt that the building was too ambitious for the area concerned; health and safety reasons as there was a gas control box within close proximity to the proposed dwelling; and the size of the building was out of keeping with all other dwelling houses within the vicinity). Commercial land at Plain Dealings Farm, Redstone Road, Narberth - erection of agricultural/ warehouse style building for children's play/activity centre (whilst the committee had no objections to the building itself, they wished to ask the planning department if they had ensured that the applicant had done the ground work, as through local knowledge, members were aware of an old cesspit at this location). 1-2 The Oaks, Landsker Lane, Narberth - tree surgery and felling (no objections for trees 1-4 to have limbs removed, but the committee would rather tree five, the beech tree, not be cut down unless absolutely necessary). Plot adjacent to 1 Northmead, Jesse Road, Narberth - erection of one dwelling, amended plan (committee were still concerned with regard to the loss of daylight this building would cause to the next door property and also, do not wish to see any narrowing of the existing lane, which is next to the proposed dwelling. 45 High Street, Narberth - erection of single storey extension (no objection to the application, but the committee wished to inform the county council that there was an error in the location plan provided). Highmead, Castlefield, Mill Lane, Narberth - erection of single storey extension (no objection). Land, part of Redstone Mill, Redstone Road, Narberth - temporary change of use of part of factory yard for siting of caravans (objection, inappropriate use of agricultural land becoming used for residential purposes). FOOTNOTE: Clr. Colin Williams declared an interest in the applications for plot adjacent to 1 Northmead, Jesse Road, and 45 High Street, and took no part in the debates.

END FOR FAIR?

Narberth's annual fun fair has possibly made its last visit to the town. Calls for the fair to be abandoned were made by Clr. Owain Martin this week because the town did not have the facilities for the attraction, which he felt was no longer well supported.

Narberth Bridge footpath

Councillors in Narberth are to write to Roger Barrett Evans, Pembrokeshire County Council's director of development, to ask what progress is being made on the provision of a footpath at the town's Bridge Hill. Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, raised the matter at Tuesday night's meeting of the council. Members also agreed to send a copy of the letter to Clr. Wynne Evans, the town's local county council representative.

Council vacancy

A vacancy has arisen on the town ward of Narberth Town Council. Any interested parties are asked to write to the clerk, Mrs. Caroline Coaker, at Rainford, Bloomfield Gardens, Narberth. The vacancy has arisen following the retirement of Clr. Wynne Evans.

CAR PARKING CHARGES

Pembrokeshire County Council is in the process of introducing charges at sites in the county, but as yet, Narberth is not included, the town's county councillor, Wynne Evans, informed members of the town council this week. "The Town Moor is registered as a Village Green; however, the county council has applied to the Welsh Assembly Government to have the site lose its status," said Clr. Evans, who is strongly opposed to charges being introduced. "If they are successful, the county council has promised full consultation with the town council and Chamber of Trade," he added.

Grass cutting

Pembrokeshire County Council is to be asked to cut the grass on Narberth's Town Moor, by members of the town council. The local authority is also to be asked to cut the hedge rows alongside Wells Terrace, which is overgrown and a prime spot for fly-tipping.

Monitoring ongoing

Surveys are continuing into flooding and drainage problems at the bottom of the Town Moor and Cardingmill Lane, members of the town council heard this week. Clr. Wynne Evans, the town's representative on Pembrokeshire County Council, informed members that the site would continue to be monitored until mid January.

Bus bay meeting

A meeting was scheduled to take place this week to discuss levels of surface water at the bus bay in Station Road, Narberth, County Councillor Wynne Evans told the town council.

Business rate relief increases

When Narberth's business rate relief ceased, the town would be the hardest hit area, it was claimed this week. A total of 141 businesses would be affected, County Councillor Wynne Evans informed the town council in a report which came before their monthly meeting on Tuesday night. "At the current rate levels, a shocking £268,000 will be charged extra," he said. Clr. Evans's figures were based on information received on October 16.

High Street drainage problems

A full CCTV inspection of drains in High Street, Narberth, was carried out last week. "The problem has now been identified and once I have viewed the footage, I will meet with some traders in the street to reach a satisfactory outcome on this ongoing problem," County Councillor Wynne Evans told the town council.