The long-running saga over controversial plans to redevelop the Rhodewood House Hotel site at Saundersfoot took a new twist this week. The proposed scheme involves the total demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of a number of separate interlinked blocks providing a mix of one and two-bedroomed units (36 in total within six blocks). Although outline approval for the application was approved back in June 2004, a number of concerns about the plans were raised by local residents and members of the community council, which included height and parking issues. After the developers, Portland Properties Ltd., addressed these issues, it was felt that the amended plans were deemed satisfactory to give full consent for the scheme to go ahead. However, at Wednesday's meeting of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park's development management committee, it emerged that officers had since been in discussion with the applicants over the possibility of an element of 'affordable housing' being introduced into the scheme if there was a requirement in the locality. But the applicants were opposed to this being included at such a late stage. "Our evidence submitted in support of this application has clearly demonstrated that it is not appropriate or economically viable to provide any affordable housing within this scheme," said a spokesperson. "It should also be noted that we are at the end stage of the planning process and it is simply not possible to make amendments to the scheme in order to incorporate the specific design standards required for affordable housing." In response to the Park's suggestion, however, the developers have instead offered a financial contribution of £100,000 with a view to developing an affordable housing scheme on another site in the locality, with Bonvilles Court proposed as a possible location. The proposal met with a mixed reaction from Park members, with Saundersfoot's Clr. Mrs. Rosemary Hayes in favour of the idea in theory, but concerned about what would happen to the financial contribution if the site proved unsuitable. Clr. Michael Williams, meanwhile, was unhappy that affordable housing couldn't be incorporated into the current scheme "It's sad that the developers can't achieve an element of affordable housing into a scheme of this size," he remarked. "What chance have the younger generation got of purchasing a property of their own in the Saundersfoot and Tenby area, when the prices are completely unaffordable - none whatsoever!" Park chairman, Clr. Steve Watkins was also unsure about the proposal and felt it would "create a dangerous precedent for future applications from developers." After further discussions, members decided to accept the developer's proposal, subject to a viable site for a future affordable housing scheme being identified. They also voted 11 in favour with three against for the current application to be deferred again, adding that they did owe it to the developers to come to an early decision on the matter.