Sir,
Based on reports in your newspaper, it seems reasonable to conclude that many recent development projects in Pembrokeshire have been given planning permission on the basis of two important criteria. Namely that these proposals should provide low cost housing and employment for local people. Such laudable principled thinking is surely correct, but is there a huge gap between lofty ideals and what actually happens?
The demolition of the Rhodewood Hotel in Saundersfoot could be it seems an example of this dichotomy. At face value, a new building complex consisting of six houses and 30 apartments presented in the form of glossy computer graphics appears attractive, but images designed to secure planning do not give an accurate perspective.
Equally confusing is the price tag of £175,000 for an apartment. On this basis it could be that these properties only become affordable to those seeking holiday homes. This equation might be balanced by a considerable number of local tradespeople being employed by the contractors, but judging by the names on the vans and lorries parked outside the site, this seems unlikely.
Doubtless new owners of the apartments should enjoy living there. Will local residents who live in the immediate vicinity feel likewise? Many will know their houses have been blighted. Increased traffic congestion is yet another issue which will continue to rear its ugly head.
It is somewhat ironic that the minutes of the Saundersfoot Community Council reported concern about the parking of contractors' vehicles in Sandy Hill Road. Does this suggest the same body will support a reduction in Council Tax for the residents affected by the Rhodewood development?
What seems inescapable is that many home owners in Pembrokeshire could face similar conflicting interests in the future as previous planning decisions are inevitably used as cases of precedent. Have your readers any thoughts which could steer us through this minefield?
Roger Cryer, Saundersfoot.