Plans to site a residential development of up to 14 dwellings (including on-site affordable provision) at land west of Narberth Road in Tenby have been approved by members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee.

The application submitted by Messrs Hill, Hill, Wood and Caister Castle Trust, which will also incorporate highways alterations to form a new access road and associated development infrastructure was given the thumbs up at PCNPA’s meeting last Wednesday (June 9) despite concerns raised over the loss of a greenfield site and the potential impact on biodiversity of the development.

Concerns were also raised regarding regarding the proposed off-site highways works to the site and the increase in traffic on the busy A478; taking into account the amount of engineering that will will be required prior to installing roads and services, due to the steepness of the site.

The site is located on the north eastern edge of Tenby and consists of a field parcel of around 1.40ha, which is currently being used as a horse paddock.

The north, south and western edge of the site is made up of woodland, which forms part of the wider woodland area known as Bells Wood and is ancient semi-natural woodland.

The site is largely screened from Narberth Road as a result of existing vegetation and the topography of the site in relation to the road.

The access detail of the application is also reserved for future determination and is likely to involve a new ghost island junction from Narberth Road (A478), accommodating a dedicated right-turn facility for vehicles entering the development from the north.

The proposals will also include the reconfiguration of the existing Lady Park junction layout (on the opposite side of the road to the site). Pedestrian footways will be provided on both sides of Narberth Road at the new site junction and reconfigured Lady Park junction and will continue into the development.

A pedestrian refuge island will also be provided to assist pedestrians in crossing Narberth Road. The access will lead into an internal estate road within the site serving the proposed housing.

The site was previously allocated for residential development in the 2013 Local Development Plan. Following the de-allocation of the site the applicant’s agent has stated that the proposal will be for affordable housing only.

The Local Development Plan 2 (2020) prioritises the provision of affordable housing to meet locally identified needs.

The proposed housing must also be appropriate to meet the identified local housing need, which has been identified and the applicant’s agent has liaised with Pembrokeshire County Council on this.

The applicant’s agent Mr. C. Green of Andrew Granger & Co: “The Applicant is fully committed to working with the Authority to bring the site forward to meet this identified need and is currently in discussion with Registered Social Landlords to secure development and ongoing management of the Affordable Housing.

“As such, the Applicant will enter into the necessary Section 106 Agreement as a mechanism to secure delivery on-site and retention in perpetuity.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Development management committee went along with the planning case officer’s recommendation to delegate powers to the Director of Planning and Park Direction to approve the application subject to a section 106 agreement.