Car parking wars between developers and the National Park has seen a well used ‘valuable’ facility given a ‘long stay’ status in Tenby following a planning meeting this week.

The future of the Five Arches Car Park on land fronting South Parade was in doubt after planning officers from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority recommended refusal of plans to install the site as a permanent facility.

However, the application submitted by Mr. Giles Birt, of Lock House, St Julian Street, for a change of use of the land for the site which was the former Tenby Ford commercial garage, was given the thumbs up by members of PCNPA’s development management committee on Wednesday.

The plans are to include work to enable use of the entire site (including 7 Picton Road) as a permanent car park, together with works comprising - associated pay machines, electric charging points, lighting, signage and planters.

In recommending refusal, case officer Nicola Gandy explained that as the site is located within the centre of the town, proposals which seek to increase traffic in this area are contrary both to national and local planning policies, which are to reduce the need to travel and not to intensify traffic flows in already congested areas.

She stated that ‘adequate car parking is currently available in and around Tenby’ so additional car parking would result in significant underuse of existing car parking spaces out of season. Ms Gandy also said that the town was also well-served by public transport which should be given priority.

It was also mentioned that the land is recognised as an employment site and if the loss of this site could be justified for this proposal, then a community use or affordable housing provision should be given priority.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s highways and transportation department also objected, stating that the application had not been submitted with any evidence to prove the necessity to provide additional car parking for the town.

The car park has operated under a series of temporary planning permissions since 2011.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Birt said one of the reasons that full consent had been applied for was the wish to further invest in the site, with costs of £100,000 earmarked for resurfacing and improved landscaping etc.

“Over the last six years there have been no instances of the car park causing congestion - in fact, since it opened, the traffic jams that regularly occurred on the Esplanade and Victoria Street from cars queuing to get into the Rectory Fields Car Park have ceased,” he said.

“Consistent use of the car park, not just during the peak summer season, but all year round proves the demand for this facility, especially by disabled drivers and passengers wishing to visit the town.

“I would like to reiterate that the site has significantly impacted on the improvement of traffic management in the town, and has helped to protect the town’s shopping centre, both for visitors and locals alike, with its position just outside the town walls,” he continued, pointing out that it was also well utilised for other community purposes such as the Ironman event Expo and mobile banking vans.

The application was also supported by Tenby Town Council, with the town clerk, Andrew Davies, telling the meeting that the car park had proved itself to be a ‘valuable asset to the town’, assisting in drawing traffic away from the walled town, thereby easing congestion within the central core of the town.

“This car park is also located close to the central core of hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation within the town, most of whom do not have their own parking facilities and welcome the availability of this facility close by for their guests.

“Granting permission would not prevent alternative uses for the site being considered in the future, but refusal would more than likely result in fencing being erected around the site to deter illegal entry, creating a potential eyesore in close proximity to the town walls,” continued Mr. Davies, who explained that reduced park and ride facilities in the town, and cutbacks in public transport provision, with several bus services operating on reduced timetables, had also impacted on people visiting Tenby’s town centre.

When discussing the application, the committee’s vice-chairman, Clr. Michael Williams, said that the car park had a ‘huge amount’ of public support, and even the committee chairman, Clr. Reg Owens, a wheelchair user himself, used the facility when visiting Tenby, as it was the closest place to park with easy access to the town centre.

“I rarely go against policy, but this facility has been an outstanding success and been of huge benefit to the town and guest houses in the area, especially during Tenby’s pedestrianisation scheme.

“It has worked very well over the last six years, but now needs significant capital investment, and we have an applicant who is willing to do this,” he added.

His fellow committee member, Clr. Mike Evans, claimed that the car park had been a ‘game changer’ for Tenby’s guest houses and hotels in that area and ‘vital’ to the town.

“Accommodation in that area which had been struggling has been able to advertise parking on their doorstep through online booking agents,” he said.

When put to the vote, 13 members were in favour of the application, with only against.

National Park Authority director of park direction and planning, Jane Gibson, told members that the application would now go through a ‘cooling off’ period and be brought back to the next meeting of the committee, with members asked to put down on record ‘good and logical’ reasons as to why they had gone against the officer’s recommendation and chosen to approve the proposals.