Preparatory archaeological works at land on Brynhir - the site of the new housing development for Tenby are underway.

Morgan Construction Wales Ltd have this month commenced the pre-construction Archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) works at land at the Brynhir site on Old Narberth Road. These works are preparatory in nature and do not form part of the main construction activities.

The WSI works will include an archaeological excavation lasting between four and six weeks.

A section of the Public Right of Way path SP46/29/1 will be stopped up and diverted for the duration of the WSI works.

Heras panel fencing and ecological buffer zones will be identified, implemented and maintained in the identified locations. These will remain in place for an estimated period of six months.

After claims were made by a local county councillor last month that the development which will see in total, 125 homes constructed by Pembrokeshire County Council, could be delayed by some years due to issues surrounding water nitrates - the Local Authority responded: “Pembrokeshire County Council's application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to discharge planning conditions to enable the Brynhir development to commence is still under consideration.

“Until such time as our application has been considered in conjunction with the statutory consultees, we are unable to commence on site.

“We understand that the Parks Authority is currently liaising with both NRW and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water regarding our application.”

These homes will range in size and consist of 93 affordable housing (social and intermediate rent), 16 shared ownership, and 16 open market sale.

In 2018, PCC, which already owned the 15-acre Brynhir site, ‘bought’ the land for £4million using its Housing Revenue Account; with a detailed planning matters application for the scheme unanimously approved by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority last year.

Following that, last December, Pembrokeshire County Council announced a major step forward for the scheme, stating that the Local Authority was pleased to confirm the award of a ‘pre-construction service agreement’ for the development, with the firm Morgan Construction of Carmarthen appointed following the evaluation of a two-stage tender.

PCC said that work was expected to start in September 2025, with a view to the development being completed in 2029.

However, a number of planning constraints are still clearly in need of being ironed out before construction work can fully progress.

Currently, there are planning applications to discharge conditions in relation to the development’s drainage scheme, submitted to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority this summer, that are waiting to be determined.

Speaking last month on a possible delay to the scheme getting underway, county councillor for Tenby’s North ward, Cllr Michael Williams told the Observer that the any delay would mainly be due to the water quality nitrates issue which is blighting a great number of developments in West Wales.

“This will be a huge blow to the many Tenby people and families who see their only hope of housing slipping yet further away,” remarked Cllr Williams.