The saga surrounding a large house on the Parrog in Newport, has taken a new turn after an appeal against its demolition was lodged with the Welsh Assembly.

The controversial Bettws Newydd development was refused retrospective planning permission earlier this year. The National Park Authority then issued an enforcement notice requiring removal of the building and restoration of the site.

However, the applicant has now appealed to the Welsh Assembly against the decision.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb has voiced his concerns about the saga to the authority’s new chief executive Tegryn Jones.

Mr Crabb said: “The Bettws Newydd case is one of the most serious planning matters I have been involved with over the last five years.

“It has caused a huge amount of dismay among residents of Newport and the wider area, who see it as an example of the national park authority failing to act in the interests of the local community.

“The national park authority is one of our most important local agencies and it has a difficult job to do in controlling development in one of the most sensitive parts of the UK.

“But far too many park residents do not feel that enforcement action is effective or even-handed when breaches of planning consents occur.”

The Bettws Newydd Opposition Group (BNOG) plans to fight the appeal, and is urging residents to write letters of opposition to the planning inspectorate.