A county councillor for Saundersfoot has welcomed news that proposals for a new housing and commercial development in the centre of the seaside village has been withdrawn - stating that the plans would be ‘foolish’ in their current format.
The proposals for the vacant brownfield site between the rear of the former Cambrian Hotel building and the rear of town houses in Milford Terrace were to create 24 new homes and a commercial unit space fronting on to Milford Street.
However, the application (NP/22/0672/FUL) to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has now been withdrawn.
Members of Saundersfoot Community Council had previously stated that they didn’t support the scheme.
-Mark-McQuade-managing.jpg?width=209&height=140&crop=209:145,smart&quality=75)
“The proposed development was for 24 separate units comprising of town houses and apartments, also a commercial opportunity along with just seven car parking spaces,” commented county councillor for the south ward, Cllr Chris Williams.
“I have previously declared a prejudicial and personal interest in this site and couldn’t support this application in its current format.
“At this time I don’t feel that Saundersfoot needs another restaurant as we have three empty restaurants and a café which have been vacant for a while.
“Saundersfoot has many vibrant independent shops and businesses that are all working extremely hard in this current climate and the feedback is always surrounding car parking in the village.
“I feel that the current proposed development with limited parking in the village simply would be foolish at this time until we as a community have resolved the parking issues.
“I fully appreciate that the street needs attention and this area looks particularly scruffy but any development should be in keeping with the current look of surrounding buildings.
“Unfortunately the reality is, people will still continue to use their cars and the village simply won’t cope with the demand.
“I feel there is opportunity here for a 1 and 2 bedroom accommodation for local residents to remain in the heart of the village, which could possibly free up other homes for growing families in the village.
“This would mean that there are full time residents living all year round and if you look at the current situation on the Milford Terrace development, which was built over ten years ago, only one of those properties is lived in permanently.
“The message from the residents to the developers should be for them to consider the impact on our village in any resubmission,” he added.