A campaign is urging Saundersfoot Harbour Commission to hold a public presentation to explain joint proposals being put forward by themselves and Pembrokeshire County Council to regenerate the harbour area of the village. Design specialists The Urbanists (a Powell Dobson company) were commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council to put forward proposals to improve the village centre, with their proposals including the demolition of the Old Coal Office, Sensory Garden and Barbeque lawn to create a square for car parking facilities in this particular area of the seafront which is currently owned by the County council. However, in excess of 600 people have already registered their concern on the 'Save Saundersfoot Coal Office' Facebook page, with campaigners stating that there is a lot of support for saving the resort's local history, who do not wish to turn the village into 'one big car park'. The campaign has suggested the practical solution of a public presentation, whilst Saundersfoot Community Council stated in last week's Observer that they had no desire for any such change to take place to the Coal Office and gardens and would defend the community in this matter. Up until the end of 2013, the Old Coal Office, which is currently unoccupied, housed the Tourist Information Centre. In line with county council policy to maintain service levels whilst cutting overheads, the Information Centre was relocated earlier this year within the local library. Claims have been made that this building is in a poor state of repair and it is not cost effective to renovate and its demolition is seen as the best economic solution. However, campaigners against this proposal argue it is an iconic building in the centre of the village and a tangible link with Saundersfoot's industrial heritage. Many locals would like to see the building used for a dual purpose - to house the Information Centre and as a permanent location for Saundersfoot and District Historical Society to exhibit the history of the village. The adjoining Sensory Garden, which is currently leased by Saundersfoot Community Council, has been developed mainly through the efforts of local volunteers. The garden is a popular seating area for both locals and visitors, whilst the Barbeque lawn provides picnic tables and seating, as well as being the location for commemorative trees. Staunch 'Save The Coal Office' supporter, and former Saundersfoot Harbour Master, Cedric Morgan, has shown his support by displaying campaign posters on his mobility scooter. "Too much of our history is disappearing. I have been involved with the harbour for 80 years since I was a small child of four years, with my father when he ran canoes from the harbour. The Coal Office must be saved for future generations," he said. In a response to the 'Save Saundersfoot Coal Office' campaign, Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners have stated that concerned members of the community could meet with their chief executive, who would explain the proposals. "Over the past few years, Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners have strived to improve facilities at the harbour and are ambitiously looking ahead to create improved access to the water and significant enhancement to the surrounding areas of the harbour creating a number of new fulltime job opportunities, as well as establishing new marine services," the commission explained in a statement this week. "One of the areas that needs urgent attention is the old Coal Office, and if deemed surplus to requirement by Pembrokeshire County Council, the Commissioners would like the opportunity to create a new facility that would be iconic and serve both the community and visitors alike. "It is disappointing that the information posted on a well-known media site alleges that the harbour wants to turn the site into a car park as this cannot be further from the truth as the harbour would reduce some of its car park spaces to facilitate a new building and assist the community council with enhancing the village's sensory garden if agreed by them. "The Commissioners urge any concerned member of the community to meet with Michael Davies, the harbour's chief executive, so that he may discuss the overall harbour strategy and clarify the Powell Dobson conceptual plans commissioned by and for Pembrokeshire County Council, as this was only a starting point by the council to begin the debate, and at no time has the removal of the Sensory Garden been proposed by the Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners," it added. Campaigners say they are also aware that the Harbour Commission and the architectural consultants made a presentation to the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority at the end of last month on the proposals, and have written to the complaints and planning departments of Pembrokeshire County Council to ask why the general public were not informed of a meeting on planning issues which they say will substantively affect the nature and structure of the village.