Bluestone judgment provokes disappointment
17th December 2004
The Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) has expressed serious disappointment at today's decision by a High Court judge that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's decision (2) to grant outline planning permission for the Bluestone holiday village (3 & 4) was not unlawful.
CNP is disappointed that the judge Mr Justice Jack disagreed with arguments that the Park Authority broke its own planning rules and that two members of its planning committee acted with 'apparent bias' during the decision making process.
CNP's Head of Policy Ruth Chambers said: "CNP considered that the challenge was a strong one and was powerfully presented by our legal team. The judgment is long and complex and raises a number of issues which require careful thought. These will all be assessed by CNP's Trustees over the next 3 weeks to enable a decision to be made on any next steps. In reaching this decision, we need to bear in mind the details of the judgment and CNP's status as a small charity".
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 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.
3. 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.
4. The Bluestone development would constitute the third largest settlement in the National Park after Tenby and Saundersfoot.
Contact: Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy: 020 7924 4077 ext. 222
For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222