Tenby councillors have been provided with updates on two sites on the outskirts of the Walled Town that have been labelled an ‘eyesore’ in recent times.

Correspondence came before members of the Town Council at its meeting this month, enquiring as to what was going on with a proposed development at the former petrol station/garage at Deer Park and also the former Royal Mail sorting office.

Many locals have labelled in recent years the area as an ‘eyesore’ on one of the main entrances into the seaside town.

When Cllr Charles Dale raised the matter early last year, the town clerk Andrew Davies had reminded councillors that the Deer Park site formed part of a five-phase development from the owner of the land, which included - the former Royal Gatehouse hotel; the Playhouse cinema; the Delphi along South Parade; as well as the Royal Lion Hotel.

The plans for the former petrol station site, submitted by Graham Fry and Dovey Estates Ltd back in 2009 included proposals for the construction of a residential development comprising 17 affordable apartments with on-site car parking, bin store and refuse facilities (14 x 1 bed, 3 x 2 bed), on land adjacent to Clifton Rock at Deer Park.

At the meeting this month, regarding the site, members were told once again that work had deemed to have been started and it was at the discretion of the applicant as to how long they would take to complete the project.

On the former Royal Mail building located on Warren Street, members were told while planning permission was granted last year to build a mixed housing and retail development - as long as only a quarter are second homes or holiday lets - the site was still unsold and no potential developer identified.

The application submitted to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority would see the demolition of the sorting office in the conservation area, replacing it with a 19th century-style four-storey mixed development of 34 residential units and ground-level commercial properties.

Councillors had previously expressed their concerns over a lack of affordable housing provision included in the plans, concerns also relayed by Tenby Civic Society’s planning committee, who said that the site was ideally located for social housing.

Cllr James Phillips asked if the owners of the Post Office building could be forced to tidy it up.

Cllr. Laurence Blackhall felt that, as the planning permission included demolition of the existing building, only the bear minimum would be done. Councillors were told that overgrowth had been cut down in recent times.