"Rescue Bluestone fiasco" plea to Minister

16th October 2003

The National Parks watchdog the Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) has today urged the Welsh Assembly Government to 'call-in' the Bluestone proposal (2) and hold a public inquiry.  CNP says that political pressure on Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority members threatens to make a mockery of National Park principles.

CNP's Head of Policy Ruth Chambers said: "The political pressure being placed on members of the Park Authority to approve the Bluestone proposal is in danger of preventing a fair and impartial decision.  The situation has become so serious that it could lead to a complaint to the Ombudsman".

"Given the highly politically charged nature of this development proposal, we consider that the Environment Minister has no choice other than act to safeguard the integrity of the planning process by taking the decision out of the hands of the National Park Authority".

Ruth Chambers concluded: "By calling in this application Carwyn Jones would make it crystal clear that the Welsh Assembly Government is serious about its commitment to open government, transparent decision making and its core principle of sustainability.  To leave this decision in the hands of the National Park Authority, whose members we understand have been put under intense pressure to approve the development, would in our view result in a serious loss of public confidence in the Assembly".

Notes to Editors

1.              The Council for National Parks is the national charity that 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 development within the National Park comprises 340 timber lodges (imported from Estonia), a brand new village, a sports club and a sewage treatment works.

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222