A petition urging Pembrokeshire County Council to allow ‘real public consultation’ before a decision is taken on the proposals for Narberth’s old school site has gained around 300 supporters.
The retail and housing scheme, which is set to include a Sainsbury’s Local store, is ‘ill thought out and will have serious repercussions for Narberth’s future’ as a thriving individual retail destination, say the petition’s creators.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning and rights of way committee is due to discuss the application tomorrow (Tuesday) with a recommendation for approval.
The plan is being put forward by Abbeymore Estates - an experienced retailed developer headed by Narberth resident David Gee - and building contractor Knox & Wells.
It seeks full planning permission for demolition of the former primary school buildings at the entrance to the Townsmoor car park and to replace it with a two-storey building.
This would house the Sainsbury’s store and a variety of non-food retail units with uses proposed including a betting shop, café, hot food takeaway and day nursery.
The first floor would feature 20 residential apartments - ten of both one-bed roomed and two-bed roomed. A minimum of 14 of these would be affordable housing for social rental, to be managed by the Pembrokeshire Housing Association.
There would also be associated car parking, a delivery area, modification of existing accesses and public space, including a new pedestrian route through the site.
As the Western Telegraph reported last week, representatives of community umbrella group, Narberth Future Forum, were given a presentation on the development by the applicants at County Hall last week.
Forum secretary Gordon Barry reiterated concerns that apart from a presentation to the town council in April 2014, there had been no ‘meaningful consultation’ with the local community.
The petition to Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning department, requested: “Please allow people affected by the proposed development of the old school site in Narberth to be involved through real public consultation before a decision is made.”
A number of residents have registered to be able to comment at the meeting before the committee reaches its decision.
The petition is available here
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