The planning services at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park are performing well when it comes to having clear policies for developing and using land. 

The authority is also making good use of limited staff resources to improve the built heritage of the area - which includes local archaeology, listed buildings and conservation areas.

This was revealed last week when the Wales Audit Office issued its report of the authority's planning service following an inspection.

The authority was inspected along with the two other Welsh National Park Authorities, Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia.

Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Clr. Simon Hancock, said: "We welcome the auditor's useful feedback on this important service and we are delighted with the positive assessment of two key areas of our work: Built Heritage and the adoption of a Local Development Plan."

The auditors praised the authority for making 'good progress' in its built heritage work 'despite limited staff resources'. This work includes the conservation and enhancement of listed and historic buildings in the Park.

Clr. Hancock added: "We are pleased that the report also recognised the authority's provision and maintenance of up to date adopted planning policies, and publication of specialist guidance including the new Sustainable Design Guide."

The auditor also recognised an improvement in the speed of determining planning applications, but highlighted this as a key area for further improvement.

Clr. Hancock said: "We acknowledge the need to drive more rigorously the wide-ranging improvement plan we had already drawn up before the inspection, and the need to employ a stronger management control.

"We look forward to working with the Welsh Assembly Government in seeking further improvement in the areas identified, and we are confident that the many useful suggestions identified in the report can be implemented quickly."

The authority's chief executive Nic Wheeler added: "I have already put in place arrangements to address the improvement issues raised in the report, and am working closely with my colleagues and senior members of the authority to drive the improvement agenda. We will also look to closer working with adjacent local authority planning services."

For more information on the report, visit the Wales Audit Office website at http://www.wao.gov.uk">www.wao.gov.uk