Public outcry at outsiders ban (From Western Telegraph)

Public outcry at outsiders ban

The public outcry surrounding a housing development ban in the Pembrokeshire countryside shows no signs of abating.

Opponents are urging the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to scrap its controversial proposal to stop outsiders building new houses or converting existing properties.

Critics have been vocal in their condemnation of a plan they maintain is undemocratic and unworkable.

Although they admit there is a need to provide affordable housing for local people they say a development ban will only compound the problem by pushing up the price of existing properties.

Others argue that the Pembrokeshire economy relies on the spending power of retired people and holidaymakers.

But the authority shows no signs of backing down. An interim ban on new development and conversions by people who have lived outside Pembrokeshire for three years will remain in place while the authority asks the public whether it thinks its policy can work.

If the authority sanctions a policy whereby people have to prove a local need to build in the National Park, it will become the first planning body in Wales to do so.

Applicants for residential planning consent now have to complete a questionnaire detailing whether the property will be occupied by a person who has lived in Pembrokeshire for three years. They will have to submit proof to support their claim.

Among the detailed list of information demanded in the questionnaire is whether the applicant has a strong local connection with what is referred to as the sustainable community.

The areas excluded from this community are those served by the town and community councils of Haverfordwest, Merlins Bridge, Milford Haven, Fishguard and Goodwick, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock and Narberth.

Other questions which need to be answered are whether applicants are living in overcrowded accommodation and do they have a permanent local job. They must also have looked at existing properties on the market.

The proposal is set out in the draft Joint Unitary Development Plan which will eventually replace existing Local Plans. The development ban currently only applies to areas within the National Park.