Dear Editor — I have been asked by the town council to respond to a letter which appeared in the Western Telegraph recently under the heading ‘No excuse for oversight’.
I should explain that the town council received training about Section 106 agreements some time ago (May 2007) and was therefore ready to try and use this provision to generate some planning gain as a result of the Martello Quays project.
The town council highlighted to Pembrokeshire County Council at the planning stage those things which it believed should be included in any Section 106 agreement – which only the county council can enter into.
The town council, when making its observations on the Martello Quays project, highlighted a number of matters which it believed should be addressed by the county council when considering the application.
Matters put forward for consideration included the following: l Replacement of the existing play equipment in the Western Way car park with alternative provision within the town, for example the Memorial Park.
l The loss of an amenity area should result in improvements elsewhere in the town, for example the park or other play areas within the town.
l Consideration to relocating the bandstand, within the Memorial Park.
l The need for affordable housing within the town.
l Assistance with efforts to upgrade/improve the main street within the town.
l The need for an alternative long stay car park.
The town council was keen to enter into discussions with the planning authorities to identify potential schemes which would benefit the town, however, the items put forward were as far as the town council is aware, not included as part of the formal legal agreement which was made.
It is important that both county councillors and town community councillors are fully trained for their duties and their attendance at suitable training courses ensures that they are properly briefed for the decisions they have to make.
The town council does not therefore accept that it was not prepared for the planning application and did not put forward a robust case for benefits for the town from a Section 106 agreement.
Ian Jones Town Clerk Pembroke Dock Town Council
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