Shoppers say 'yes' to Bluestone plan (From Western Telegraph)

Shoppers say 'yes' to Bluestone plan

THE DEVELOPMENT of a green field site to create the multi-million pound Bluestone holiday village in the heart of rural Pembrokeshire is a sacrifice the county must make for the sake of new jobs.

This was the clear message from shoppers (pictured) questioned by the Western Telegraph in Narberth on Monday.

Just a week before Pembrokeshire county councillors meet on Tuesday to consider the project, there was support in Narberth - the town nearest to the Bluestone site, which neighbours Oakwood Leisure Park.

Nathan Griffiths, a former pupil of Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, will be embarking on a degree in engineering this autumn. The prospect of more than 600 new jobs in an area with few employment opportunities gave Bluestone his vote of support. "I'm pretty sure I won't come back to Pembrokeshire because there is no work here. I think that is the general feeling among my generation,'' said 18-year-old Nathan, of Wiston. "Anything that creates jobs has got to be a good thing.''

This, too, was the opinion of people whose working lives had ended. Wyn Phillips, a retired county council supervisor living in Narberth, believed Bluestone would be an asset. He acknowledged that countryside would have to be sacrificed - part of the proposal lies within the National Park - but suggested it was a necessary compromise. "We are short of work in this part of the country and resolving that problem has got to be a priority,'' he said.

He had the backing of Dorothy Elford, of Hill Park, Narberth, on that point. "It will be good for Pembrokeshire. I think it is in the right location and it will increase prosperity," she said.

Andrew Osbourne, of Lawrenny, had some concerns about projected visitor numbers, but felt the economic spin-offs would override any inconvenience to locals, as does Peter Walter, visiting Narberth from Milford Haven. "I don't think having a few more people around the place is going to upset us too much,'' said Mr Walter.

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