Pre-application plans for a proposed redevelopment of land to the rear of the former Cambrian Hotel in Saundersfoot have raised concerns over parking issues for the seaside village, as well as a lack of affordable housing to feature within the application.

Applicants Ventura Properties state that the proposals for a new housing and a flexible commercial unit on the site located at Milford Terrace will present an opportunity for ‘transformative regeneration in the heart of Saundersfoot’ that will compliment ongoing wider investment and help ‘underpin the vitality and viability’ of the seaside village in the long-term.

The development site will provide 24 new homes comprising of a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom town houses and apartment types, as well as 445 sqm of commercial unit space on the ground floor providing frontage on to Milford Street.

The applicants stated that the site forms part of a wider parcel of land that has been part redeveloped and regenerated, with planning permission granted back in 2012 for the re-development of The Cambrian Hotel site.

“The planning permission has been implemented, but not fully built out,” state the agents for the applicants in a planning statement.

“The previous developer delivered the town houses and alterations to the Cambrian Hotel have been built out and are occupied. The remainder of the approved development comprising 16 residential dwellings has not been completed. The previous developer has sold the site to the current applicants on this basis.

“The permission remains part implemented because the 16 dwellings section of the extant development is unviable. The dwellings form the affordable housing element of the extant development. The sale of the land by the previous developer following the successful part implementation of the permission underscores the fact that the dwellings are unviable.

“The land forming the subject of this proposal remains undeveloped and under-utilised. It has been vacant for an extended period of time and is in much need of investment.

“The site is used informally and unlawfully for parking, to access adjoining sites and is scruffy in appearance. It detracts from the amenity of the area and contributes negatively to the vitality and viability of the local centre,” they continued.

“The prolonged pre-application discussions to date have been positive, including the principle of mixed-use development.

“The regeneration of this important opportunity site in the heart of the settlement would be the final piece in the jigsaw of a prolonged period of significant investment in Saundersfoot and the harbour.”

Following consideration of all the information provided by the applicants, members of Saundersfoot Community Council have stated that they consider the plans a ‘welcomed proposal’ for the use of this land, but at the same time raised ‘major concerns’ regarding the lack of provision for vehicle parking spaces for the development.

County councillor for Saunderfoot’s south ward Cllr Chris Williams also stated in his most recent newsletter that with the village already facing difficulties in providing vehicle parking spaces, he also raised concerns about this aspect of the plans, as well as a lack of affordable housing included in the application, which will go before members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

“Regarding the proposed development at the rear of Cambrian Terrace, I’ve declared a prejudicial interest,” stated Cllr Williams.

“My argument is that when this first came up over ten years ago there would be affordable housing on this site.

“The new proposals don’t offer any affordable accommodation on this site. They are proposing six town houses which will have four bedrooms. There are also three and four bedroom apartments, along with two and one bedroom units.

“On the whole site there are only 11 allocated car-parking spaces, along with a proposed 445sq metre retail unit.

“I’m struggling to see where all these cars are going to park and I estimate over 40 extra vehicles will be linked to this site putting a further massive strain on parking in the village.

“The village has a major problem with parking and this application is doing nothing but adding to the problems!” he added.