A TENBY car park, which has been in use on South Parade since 2011 will be made permanent after planners gave it support despite advice to refuse it.

The latest application for a change of use to make the 102-space Five Arches car park permanent, together with works for pay machines, electric car chargers, lighting, signs and planters, was made by Giles Birt last November.

At their meeting on Wednesday, April 25 Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee voted against the advice of officers, who recommended the application be refused.

In a report to the committee, officers stated the application was contrary to national and local planning policy.

The report said the car park would bring more traffic into Tenby town centre, causing further congestion during busy periods.

Cllr Michael Williams proposed that members refuse the advice and instead approve the application.

Cllr Mike Evans agreed, saying: “We have just been through the Easter holiday and if you are a local person this is a local amenity.

“Trying to park in the area was nigh-on impossible. The multi-storey car park had been full on numerous occasions over the Easter.

“The idea that this added congestion is just wrong. It helps stop congestion in the area and takes people off the streets.”

Members took a recorded vote, with all but two of the 18 members present giving their approval to the plans.

The national park’s development management committee last discussed the application in March, and after a heated debate a cooling-off period was invoked, with a decision on the car park scheduled for April.

The application has a long history of officer recommendations for refusal being overturned by members.

In early 2015, it was given a three year breathing space to run on a temporary basis, despite officer recommendations for refusal, by park planners.

It had previously been approved for three years in late September 2011.

The site itself has been earmarked for commercial or residential development in the Local Development Plan.