Park chief hits back at Bluestone comments (From Western Telegraph)

Park chief hits back at Bluestone comments

The chief executive of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has expressed surprise and concern over press comments made by a Bluestone project developer.

Nic Wheeler said that anyone reading the statements of William McNamara would have gained the distinct impression that the Park Authority was responsible for delaying the decision-making process, and that it was acting unreasonably in seeking 'additional information'.

"This is most certainly not the case," said Mr Wheeler. "The only information the authority has ever requested was clearly identified from the outset of the project.

Outstanding matters currently being addressed include groundwater problems, noise issues, the archaeology of the site and the means of access, he added.

"Until we get the necessary information we cannot begin the job of appraising the application and reporting on it to the National Park Authority," said Mr Wheeler.

"It is, in our view, unfair of Mr McNamara to blame this planning authority when the information which he should have ensured was part of the original application has not been submitted."

William McNamara recently expressed concern that the National Park was commissioning its own economic feasibility study - something that had already been covered.

But chief executive Nic Wheeler said this was untrue. "What we are doing is engaging specialist expertise to assist in carrying out the socio-economic impact assessment required by the National Assembly's major development test'. This is intended to help speed consideration and not delay it.

o Pembrokeshire Tourism has come out in support of the Bluestone project but some members have expressed concerns.

The organisation - which represents tourism operations throughout the county - canvassed its members over the last few weeks.

Maria Taylor, temporary co-ordinator, said: "We are pleased to support all projects that enhance the quality of the tourism product in the county, especially those that increase visitor numbers and are open year round.

"There are concerns from some of our self-catering members that should the project fail to attract its target market, it could create financial pressures on existing small accommodation suppliers. It is also questionable as to how Bluestone will attract the numbers of staff required, without detrimentally affecting the workforce of existing operators."