11:10am Tuesday 16th March 2010
An inquiry today (Tuesday) is set to dig deeper into why the National Park Authority recommended approval for plans to extend two sand quarries in north Pembrokeshire.
Applications to extend two quarries at Trefigin and Pantgwyn, in the north of Pembrokeshire’s national park, were recommended for approval by the authority last year, but have now been ‘called in’ by Jane Davidson, minister for the environment, sustainabil-ity and housing.
The Campaign for National Parks, a national charity that campaigns to protect and promote national parks, objects to the plans, which is says are contrary to government advice, and could lead to unacceptable harm being done to the landscape of the national park.
Chairman of the national park authority’s development management committee, Councillor Mike Williams, said: “We have worked closely with the Campaign for National Parks on a number of projects but in this particular case, have opposing views.
“The authority considers that it has ‘rigorously assessed’ the proposals and has worked with all the statutory consultees to achieve an acceptable scheme.
“We have been mindful of the economic and social wellbeing of park communities and are of the view that the proposals for reinstatement will, in the longer term, provide a richer and more diverse landscape as a result of these proposals.”
Park authority members recommended approval of the applications after following a ‘rigorous assessment’ of all the issues, subject to the imposition of a number of planning conditions.
Following Government policy, the applications had to be referred to the Welsh Assembly before a decision could be made, to consider the proposals against a more strategic framework.
At the inquiry, representatives of the quarries will provide evidence as to why they need the permission, details of the proposal, the steps they intend to take in mitigation and restoration proposals for when the sand has been extracted.
Representatives of the park authority will justify their assessment of the applications.
The inquiry, held by the Planning Inspectorate, will begin today in Nevern.
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