A DECISION on the proposed new “super school” in Hakin has been delayed to allow for a site visit.

The plan to build a primary school on land off Gelliswick Road, which had been recommended for approval subject to conditions, came before Pembrokeshire County Council’s (PCC) Planning and Rights of Way Committee on Tuesday (September 8).

The facility would replace Hakin Community School and Hubberston VC School.

After listening to speakers objecting to the plan, committee members voted unanimously to undertake a site visit on September 30.

Addressing the members, County Councillor for Hakin Mike Stoddart said if the plan went ahead public access – currently enjoyed over most of the site - would be restricted to a “small area to the north of the footpath”.

He also questioned whether the site was big enough, and pointed out the proposed access point off Picton Road was “extremely narrow”.

“The area needs a new school very badly, but I really think members ought to go to the site and look for themselves, especially the Picton Road entrance,” he said.

“If anyone tells me that’s a two-way entrance, I’ll eat my hat. The whole thing needs a serious rethink.”

County Councillor for Hubberston Viv Stoddart described the development as “controversial” and said her constituents had raised issues including resident parking and vehicle access to the west of the site, the “bottleneck” off Picton Road, and insufficient parking provision for teachers.

Speaking on behalf of Milford Haven Town Council, Cllr Eric Harries said the organisation was against the plan, which it viewed as being “contrary to the amenity of the area”.

“Those playing fields are in the centre of one of the highest population concentrations in Pembrokeshire,” he said. “They’ve been a recreational facility for over 60 years. They should be protected, as there are no alternative spaces available in the area.

“The application is contrary to the policies and guidance of both the Welsh Assembly and the Local Development Plan.”

Chris Tansey, speaking on behalf of Hakin United and the Gelliswick Preservation Association, said the groups were not against the new school but believed PCC had “chosen the wrong site”.

“The community should have been consulted on the eight other sites that PCC has deemed unacceptable,” he said. “If this application is passed as it stands, Hakin United’s junior teams will have nowhere to play and will be disbanded.”