I am a member writing to thank you for opening up further walks around the Lily Ponds at Bosherston; protecting the coastline from Stackpole Quay to Broadhaven; and now renovating the buildings at Gupton Farm, Freshwater West. But has it come at too high a cost?

I used to see local families walking round the Bosherston Lily Ponds at weekends but your £5 car parking charge is now too costly for a short walk with small children. Now I mostly meet tourists or other National Trust members who enjoy the benefit of free parking.

I believe that you are working with the National Park Authority and the county council in planning a shoreline realignment at Freshwater West. I gather from local residents that it is the intention of the county council to cease to maintain the road bridge at Freshwater West.

The road will then be closed as unsafe and the popular coastal route between Castlemartin and Angle will be lost.

The large dune backing the beach at Freshwater West, whose vegetative cover was removed, I believe, when filming ‘Harry Potter’ took place, has been left all summer without cover of marram grass which helps to prevent the loose sand blowing inland. Is this apparent departure from normal habitat care part of the ‘shoreline re-alignment’?

The Trust’s current plans for the re-use of Gupton Farm buildings includes a proposed car park for internal use with a proviso that it could eventually be used by beachgoers.

You already control access to the beaches from Stackpole Quay to Broadhaven where it costs £5 to park a car regardless of length of stay.

By contrast parking at Freshwater West has always been free. Like at the Lily Ponds many people go there to walk for a short period but at Freshwater West they are also able to sit in their cars on stormy days and admire the view. Freshwater West is very special to south Pembrokeshire with its roaring Atlantic seas, hissing surf and wide expanse of beach.

Your plans at Gupton for a new tourism site mention a future proposed camping site (in competition with local operators) and the development of ‘water based activity holidays’. Freshwater West is still an unspoilt local accessible treasure. I ask as a member that you do not develop it but leave it for all to enjoy informally including those who cannot afford your £5 parking fee just to take a short walk or to sit and admire the view.

Mary Sinclair

Martletwy