Plans to build a civic amenity site on land along a key tourist route into the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park have been labelled 'inappropriate and harmful' in a report issued by one of the authority's planning officers.

The authority's case officer for the scheme, which proposes the construction of a civic amenity and recycling centre on a site to the west of Brooklands Nursing Home, near New Hedges, has recommended refusal of the application, which is due to be determined at the next meeting of the National Park Authority's development management committee on June 19, which will take place at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel, Pembroke Dock.

Around 25 placard-waving protestors took the opportunity of a planning site inspection last week to reinforce their concerns over the controversial plans which have been submitted by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Opponents of the plan, which involves the provision of a range of waste management facilities to be contained within a central operating area and served by a public access road directly from the A478, were outside the Brooklands Nursing Home, during the inspection, when authority members and officers viewed the site from inside the home and from its grounds.

In a report which appeared on the National Park Authority's website last Friday, the case planning officer said that the proposal represented 'an inappropriate and harmful form of development on land within the open countryside and along a key tourist route into the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park' and as such would, by its very form, character and scale, erode the special character and qualities of the National Park.

The report pointed to insufficient information being provided to conclusively demonstrate that the proposed site would serve predominantly the National Park area in line with the aims of the Local Development Plan.

The officer explained that the industrial type design and appearance of the development, the hard lines created by the form and type of facilities, the associated lighting columns, vehicle movements to and from the site and creation of signage at the entrance, would impact unacceptably upon the visual amenity and the special qualities of the National Park.

The report also added that the proposed development would result in significant vehicular movements to and from the site, and the associated noise and disturbance as a result this, the scale of heavy vehicles entering and leaving the site, the nature of activity taking place on the site and potential for any sudden noise disturbance, would likely impact unacceptably upon the living conditions of the vulnerable residents at Brooklands Nursing Home adjacent to the application site.

Local county councillor, Phil Baker, welcomed the recommendations of the report.

"As county councillor for the Saundersfoot ward, I am extremely relieved that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's case officer has recommended refusal of the planning application for the civic amenity site near Brooklands Nursing Home," he said.

"This has been the most emotive planning application that I have been involved with. I have received calls from Tenby people suggesting that they would chain themselves to the gates at the Salterns to stop the existing recycling facility leaving Tenby and then calls from relatives of residents at Brooklands stating that they would chain themselves to the gates at New Hedges to stop the new site being constructed!

"As Saundersfoot Community Council were consultees in the planning process, it was important that those community councillors wishing to take part in reviewing the application did not predetermine the proposal. The council were unanimous in their rejection of the proposal.

"I fully accept that a new recycling facility is required in the south-east of Pembrokeshire, but this site is not where it should be located," continued Clr. Baker.

As a local councillor and also a civil engineer, Clr. Baker explained that this was not the welcoming gateway he wished to see for Saundersfoot, Tenby and all the visitor attractions along the coast.

In addition, Clr. Baker also pointed out that the A478 was already a busy road and would become even more congested with the addition of the recycling traffic entering and leaving the proposed site.

He said that the most overwhelming factor which persuaded him not to support the application was its proximity to Brooklands Nursing Home.

"I have had the privilege to visit the facility over the last months and have been impressed with the tender care extended to the residents," he commented.

"The relatives have been devastated to think that the calm that is provided could be jeopardised by the operation of large skips being moved and used, the additional traffic, and the added risks associated with any industrial process.

"Not having any medical experience, I concluded that if there is any doubt whatsoever in the affect that this recycling site may have on the residents at Brooklands, then this is not the right place, and I shall be making these points at the planning meeting on June 19," he added.

County councillor for Penally and New Hedges, Jon Preston, also welcomed the case officer's recommendations.

"The decision by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's officer to recommend refusal of this application is a reflection of the quite substantial issues that must be considered by the authority's committee when they come to make their decision.

"Due to the opposing planning matters and the responsibility to safeguard vulnerable communities, I would find it incredible that any member of the authority's committee could support this proposal," he remarked.

In response to the publication of the report, Brooklands Nursing Home manager Darren Umanee commented: "Obviously we are extremely pleased that the National Park planning officer has given a recommendation for a refusal - this is a clear indication that this proposal is contrary to planning policy that underpins the objectives and aims that are in place to protect and enhance our National Park.

"Nonetheless we remain somewhat cautious and concerned that the planning committee members will follow the advice of their officers and refuse this application at their June meeting.

"However, there is considerable anxiety that the Independent plus group members of the committee will be instructed by their leaders in County Hall to force through this application at any cost and therefore go against National Park planning officers advice - this is why we remain concerned and worried.

"We would ask for concerned members of the public to help support us on Wednesday, June 19, and come to the planning meeting," he said, adding that supporters of the home's cause would be campaigning outside the Cleddau Bridge Hotel from 9.15 am, ahead of the planning meeting, and anyone wishing to lend their support, should contact the home regarding transport.