Park watchdog condemns Bluestone decision

28th January 2004

The National Parks' watchdog the Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) has condemned today's decision (2) by the Development Control Committee of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to approve the controversial Bluestone planning application (3) for a major new tourism development.

CNP's Head of Policy Ruth Chambers said: "this decision drives a coach and horses through the principles and policies which underpin the designation of the National Park.  By approving this damaging development, the Authority's members have effectively turned their back on their duty to protect the National Park.

"The members of the Authority were strongly advised by the Authority's professional officers that there were no compelling reasons to ignore planning policy and overturn the strong recommendation of refusal.  This advice was rejected and members decided to put a disputed case for jobs before their legal duty to protect the Park's environment.

"Today's decision is a huge disappointment because of the major impact which the proposals will have on the National Park.  We are also concerned that the decision has been tainted by the participation of several members of Pembrokeshire County Council, who were clearly advised by the Authority's independent monitoring officer that they had a declarable interest and should not vote on the development.  This advice has been ignored which inevitably gives rise to concern that today's decision could be flawed because these members appear not to have followed their own code of conduct.  We understand that the independent Monitoring Officer will be writing directly to the local government ombudsman for Wales about this.  It is a matter which we have asked our lawyers actively to investigate, with a view to mounting a legal challenge of today's decision in the High Court.

Ruth Chambers concluded: "Taking legal action is a very serious undertaking, especially for a small charity with limited resources.  I must stress that no final decision on whether to mount a legal challenge of this decision has been taken and if it is decided to go to court then this will not be done lightly.  We understand that a number of organisations and individuals are considering a possible challenge of today's decision because of its serious implications for the National Park".

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 met on 8th December 2003 and was minded to approve the outline application.  Because the Bluestone application conflicts with the Authority's own policies, it was advertised as a departure.  The Authority's development control committee's terms of reference require departure applications to be re-considered after a cooling off period.  This was done today at the Authority's development control committee meeting.

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.

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