Pembrokeshire National Park members have listened to the pleas of a Manorbier youngster over a planning issue and decided to view a village site for themselves to see if a residential development should be given the go-ahead.

Ten-year-old Sharmaine Richards, of 44 Dewing Avenue, Skrinkle, is thought to be the youngest person ever to address a planning meeting in the UK when she spoke to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park development management committee on Wednesday objecting to the proposal of residential properties being built on an area of village land at Hounsell Avenue.

Accompanied by her friend Kirsty Anna Lees, of 36 Gray Avenue, Sharmaine, a pupil of Sageston School, spoke on behalf of the estate's children, who are opposing the application put forward by the Pembrokeshire Housing Association.

The site, which is within the development limits of Skrinkle, is part of a large grassy verge which runs round the outside of the developed area of the estate.

The application, which has been bitterly fought by residents of the estate, is one of two submitted by the Housing Association for development within the estate. The second, which is on land in Dewing Avenue, has not yet been put before committee members.

"If you approve this plan, you will be taking the green areas away from where we youngsters play," said Sharmaine. "We know people need houses, but we need our space too. We do not want a concrete jungle like you have in the city.

"Grown-ups say you are here to protect us, so please don't build on our estate," concluded Sharmaine.

Children from the estate also drew up their own petition objecting to the proposals to hand to the committee, while Manorbier Community Council are also against the plans. They say that the application is contrary to Policy 46 in the Joint Unitary Development Plan (JUDP) - in that it would 'adversely affect the open spaces which make a significant contribution to the character of the settlement'.

Community Council chairman, Clr. Tony Wales, called the proposals a "ticking of the box exercise," while Mr. Chas Cochrane, secretary of Skrinkle Tenants and Residents Association, also urged the committee members to "protect the residents estate."

However, Peter Maggs, of Pembrokeshire Housing Association, who are behind the plans, asked: "Where would the next generation live if affordable housing was not provided?"

Chairing the meeting, Clr. Michael Williams, vice- chairman of the development management committee, said that it was the duty of members to view the site.

Members voted to defer the application, electing to hold a site meeting before making a decision.