Bluestone: watchdog to appeal
6 January 2005
The Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) is seeking leave to appeal (2) against the High Court's judgment (3) that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's decision (4) to grant outline planning permission for the Bluestone development (5 and 6) was lawful.
Ruth Chambers, CNP's Head of Policy, said: "we have thought long and hard about the disappointing judgment from the High Court and our trustees unanimously decided to seek leave to appeal because of the implications of the Bluestone judgment for all National Parks, in Wales and England.
"We are appealing on the planning aspect of the judgment as we do not believe that the National Park Authority acted lawfully when it decided to put the developer's claims of 600 jobs before its own planning rules which do not allow major developments in the National Park except in exceptional circumstances.
"We do not dispute that Bluestone would bring some economic benefit to the area but our view remains that the development does not have to be located in the National Park in order for it to proceed (7).
"We are also concerned that if it goes ahead the Bluestone development would set a dangerous precedent because it is the first major tourism development of this kind to be located in a National Park and because it has been approved contrary to national and local policies which are designed to protect the National Park.
"CNP is a small charity with limited resources but we have decided to fight on and are greatly encouraged by the messages of support we have received from people in Pembrokeshire and, indeed, throughout Wales and the rest of the UK, many of whom have urged us to appeal against the High Court judgment.
"If our application for appeal is granted, we shall be asking the Court for this to be heard as quickly as possible".
Notes to editors
1. CNP is the national charity which works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales and areas that merit National Park status and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.
2. The decision whether to allow an appeal will in the first instance be made by the High Court judge Mr Justice Jack. If he refuses, an application will be made directly to the Court of Appeal.
3. Copies of the High Court judgment are available from CNP or from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority on 0845 345 7275.
The Park Authority's development control committee approved the outline planning application on 28 January 2004. Because the Bluestone application conflicts with the Authority's own policies, it was advertised as a departure.
The development within the National Park comprises 340 timber lodges which would be imported from Estonia, a brand new village, a sports club and a sewage treatment works.
The Bluestone development would constitute the third largest settlement in the National Park after Tenby and Saundersfoot.
National Parks are living and working landscapes where sympathetic small scale developments can sustain both National Park communities and their landscapes. National and local planning guidance guards against major developments in National Parks, such as Bluestone. Before a major development is allowed in a National Park, it has to be demonstrated that it cannot be built outside the National Park and that it is in the national interest.
Contact: Ruth Chambers 020 7924 4077 ext. 222; 07769 676 397
Sylvia Davies 029 2045 0433
For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222