Park watchdog to go to court on Bluestone

23rd April 2004

The National Parks' watchdog the Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) has decided to take the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to court over its decision (2) to grant outline planning permission for the Bluestone development (3) in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Ruth Chambers CNP's Head of Policy said: "We have taken the exceptional step of challenging the National Park Authority's decision in the High Court because of serious legal concerns about the Authority's disregard for its own policies and the way in which the decision was made.

"We have done all that we can to avoid a legal challenge as going to court should always be a last resort.  However given the major issues at stake for the future of National Parks we have decided to take that last resort and have instructed our lawyers to issue legal proceedings immediately (4).

Ruth Chambers concluded: "we take this decision with a very heavy heart.  CNP is a staunch supporter of the work of the National Park Authorities.  However in the case of Bluestone we think that the Park Authority's judgement is seriously flawed and are prepared to challenge this in court".

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 National Park Authority's development control committee approved the outline planning application on 28th January.  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.              Legal proceedings will be issued in the High Court on Friday 23rd April 2004.

Contact:        

Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy: 020 7924 4077 ext. 222 mobile 07769 676 397

Sylvia Davies, Senior Policy Officer: 029 2045 0433

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