Planning Minister Sets Worrying Precedent

31 July 2003

A group of top charities, led by the Council for National Parks [1,2,3,4], has expressed astonishment that the Planning Minister, Carwyn Jones AM, has not followed the appropriate steps in considering a hugely controversial planning application for the development of a major holiday complex, almost half of which is in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park [5].

Controversial planning applications that raise complex issues affecting areas of landscape importance, such as National Parks, should first be called from the local authorities to the National Assembly by the Planning Minister, then a public inquiry held and finally a decision made by the Planning Minister. This ensures that the full implications of significant development proposals are explored openly. 

Applications that are called to the Assembly are those that [6]:

·         Are in conflict with national planning policies

·         Could have wide effects beyond their immediate locality

·         May give rise to substantial controversy beyond the immediate locality

·         Are likely significantly to affect sites of . landscape importance

The Bluestone planning application in Pembrokeshire hits every one of these criteria, yet, inexplicably, the Planning Minister has refused to call the application to the Assembly, and from there, to hold a Public Inquiry.  The Welsh Assembly Government's Economic Development Minister [7], the National Assembly for Wales's Economic Development Committee [8] and the UK Parliament have all taken an interest in the proposal.  But the Planning Minister, Carwyn Jones, believes that the proposal is only of 'local' importance and has left the application in the hands of two local authorities.

CNP's Senior Policy Officer, Sylvia Davies, said: "Our National Parks are the jewels in the crown of the countryside.  The scale of the Bluestone proposal, including the building of a completely new village with 400 lodges and cottages, is unprecedented for an area of nationally important landscape, and CNP cannot understand why the Planning Minister is not taking a greater interest in it.   Carwyn Jones should call the application to the Assembly. Then he should ensure that a public inquiry is held in order to allow a transparent discussion of such a complex and important application." 

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 Trust is a registered charity founded in 1895 to promote the permanent preservation of places of historic interest or natural beauty for the benefit of the nation. It carries out this purpose through the ownership and management of property and through the use of advocacy and partnership.  The National Trust Wales owns and cares for 138 miles of coastline including many lengths in the Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia National Parks.  It also owns 43,130 hectares of land in Wales, much of it in Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire and the Brecon Beacons.

3.              The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) is a charity which aims to secure the protection and improvement of the rural landscape, environment and the amenities of towns and villages in Wales, whilst recognising the importance of its indigenous cultures.

4.              The Friends of Pembrokeshire National Park (FPNP) is a charity committed to help protect, conserve and enhance the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for all to enjoy. It has no financial or administrative links with the statutory Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

5.              Proposed Bluestone Development, Pembrokeshire Application No. 02/0900/PA to be determined by Pembrokeshire County Council; Proposed Bluestone Development, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Application No. 02570 to be determined by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

6.              Taken from a letter to CNP from the Planning Division dated 23 July 2003, which states the Minister's decision not to call in the application.

7.              Welsh Assembly Government Press Release (13 November 2002) 'Andrew Davies backs flagship project for West Wales'

8.              National Assembly for Wales's Economic Development Committee, 14 November 2002.

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