PLANS to demolish Tenby’s infants school and replace it with a new building on playing fields are up for discussion at an open public meeting today (Wednesday).

Simon Hart MP has called the meeting because so many residents contacted him with concerns about the county council’s plans.

"I have heard from a number of Tenby residents and from those involved in the infants school that they are concerned about the lack of consultation about this major development. This is something that affects a lot of people, especially those who live nearby,” he said.

In an £8.37m project, Pembrokeshire County Council is planning to build a new English-medium primary school next door to the existing junior school in Heywood Lane. The junior school would then become a Welsh medium primary school.

“I have invited both the National Park, who will be deciding the planning application, and the council - who is making the application - to send along representatives,” added Mr Hart.

“I hope that they can answer questions about the cost of the development and whether it represents value for money for the taxpayer, as well as detailed queries about traffic management and loss of green space.

“It’s great news that there is the demand for a Welsh medium school in Tenby but I think the council needs to explain why it is spending so much money building an entirely new school instead of converting one of the existing ones or using the former Pentlepoir school site.”

(l) The meeting is taking place at the Heywood Mount Hotel at 7.30pm tonight (Wednesday, July 23). All are welcome, but people are asked to register their interest by emailing christine.toy@parliament.uk.