A CABINET decision to grant what is understood to be a major loan to help redevelop a prime Pembrokeshire site has been called-in following concerns.

The concerns relate to decisions taken over the development of the old school site in Narberth.

The future of the site has been uncertain since Sainsbury’s pulled out of a joint retail and housing scheme in May.

The public and press were excluded from the Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Later, Cllr Jacob Williams requested that the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee call-in the cabinet decision that was taken in secret by Cabinet on Monday.

Following the meeting the decisions of Cabinet were published.

They were: "(a) That the position in relation to the delivery of the mixed retail and residential scheme on the old school site, Narberth be noted; and continued support to the preferred developer, Abbeymore Estates/Knox and Wells Ltd in bringing the scheme to fruition, be confirmed; but that this support and the contract be withdrawn if the developers fail to secure the tenants and commence the scheme by 31 December 2016.

"(b) That a revised offer from Abbeymore Estates/Knox and Wells Ltd, as set out in the report of the Director of Development, be accepted, in keeping with the independent valuation advice from the Valuation Office.

"(c) That a loan be made available to Abbeymore Estates/Knox and Wells Ltd, as set out in the report of the Director of Development, under the well-being power contained in section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 for the promotion or improvement of the economic well-being of Narberth by facilitating the delivery of the regeneration of the former Narberth school site; and that the Chief Finance Officer and Director of Development be authorised to negotiate and agree terms to facilitate the loan.

"(d) That consideration be given to demolishing the former School building and utilising the site as a temporary car park.

"Reason for Decision: To facilitate the delivery of the important town centre regeneration scheme at the former Narberth school site."

In his email to the chairman of the Economy Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Michael John, Cllr Jacob Williams stated: “The areas of concern which led to my calling-in the decision relate to the cabinet’s access to sufficient information (within the written report and during the meeting) on the council’s contractual position regarding the purchase/sale of the Narberth site, and also whether sufficient information was provided to cabinet members regarding the terms of the large loan that the council will make, and the background to it.”

Cllr John has agreed to call-in the decision.

He replied to Cllr Williams: “I have given this consideration, and due to the issues raised by this scheme consider it appropriate to refer this to the Economy O&S (call-in) for further debate”.

“I am proposing an extraordinary meeting of the Economy O&S in the next fortnight.”