Sir,

I was disappointed to read the report of the discussion about the proposed Brynhir development at a recent meeting of town councillors. It seems that some of them feel that, in order for Tenby to grow, a huge new housing estate has to be built on this piece of green and unspoiled land which is teeming with wildlife and has ancient historical significance.

Instead of careful and thoughtful planning to target the real issues, politicians like to build things as it deflects from the lack of solutions to the real problems which face us, i.e. a lack of economic growth and low household incomes. The population in Tenby is declining because of a number of factors, including the lack of well-paid, non-seasonal jobs, not just the lack of lower cost housing for rent or to buy (because this is the same stock mainly being sold to second home owners).

We all know that, despite covenants, these houses will be sold for second homes or, as the new tax changes work through, just will not be in demand at all, resulting in any developer losing money or our worst nightmare; starting to build, ruining the site and going bust as has happened elsewhere in Pembrokeshire.

The councillors feel they have to relax the proportion of affordable homes to make it more attractive to developers - who are they working for here? It beggars belief that in order to build affordable homes we have to lose the character and beauty of open spaces and then relax the requirement for the affordable homes.

Tenby is special and could have a prosperous future if our representatives and decision makers have some vision and instead of pursuing the out-of-date 30-year-old development plan because it is easy, the councillors in Tenby and those that sit on the planning committee at PCNP need to realise that it could be a world class resort attracting business and spending at the top end.

The ambiance of this special place is unique and easily lost by over development. All around Tenby the landscape has been defaced by pylons and wind turbines, we have to take a stand to protect this lovely little town and its green spaces. The solutions are multi-faceted and require targeted, careful and controlled building on a small scale, preferably in brown field locations, in order meet the need for low cost rented houses. But first there needs to be a vision for Tenby we can all buy into.

G. M. Davies,

Tenby.