Planning Committee 20th May 2008 The planning application for residential development at Windy Ridge, Manorbier came before the development committee of the PCNP on the 20th May 2008. Mrs Catherine Milner, the planning officer for the PCNP, put the case before the planning committee with a recommendation for refusal on the grounds a spectacular view would be lost. She presented the committee with photograph of the view that she alleged would be lost if planning permission was granted. In her opinion although the planning inspector had included the area as within the settlement boundaries of the village and therefore open to development it did not necessary mean that it had an automatic right to be developed. Cllr Malcolm Calver, the local County Councillor speaking in favour of the development, suggested that the planning inspector would have deemed it to be a green wedge, if he thought it should not be developed. Cllr Calver also raised the point over the ten letters of objection that had been received. He outlined some of the points raised by objectors which had no material value as far as planning permission was concerned. 1. Strongly object if they plan to build houses similar to Skrinkle Estate. 2. Open floodgates if granted. 3. Owner's statement that they own land is inaccurate. 4. No need for any more executive houses. 5. We would be left to look at a legacy of incompetence and greed. Mr Neads the ex Proper Officer of Manorbier Community Council whose own property lies approximately 30 metres from the development spoke against the proposed development which is being proposed by his neighbours Mr and Mrs Ferny. Mr Neads objected because he contended there is no need for any extra development in the location stating that 200 properties were for sale in the Manorbier area. He also suggested that it would affect the nature and natural beauty of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Website Comments Since the planning meeting this website has been made aware that Mr Neads' property has been put up for sale with local estate agents Frank B Mason at an asking price of £385,000. One could suggest that it is admirable that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park allows representation by members of the public at its planning meeting. The reference by Mr Neads to a surplus of 200 properties in the locality as a reason for objecting to the proposed development could influence the committee; therefore this should be looked at carefully. No member of the committee queried the accuracy of the figure quoted by Mr Neads and if they were true it would mean at least 30% of houses in Manorbier where up for sale. Surely, Mr Neads could be considered to have an interest that should have been declared when objecting to residential development on the grounds of surplus houses in the area when proposing to sell his own residence. If a County Councillor was speak to any committee he would have to declare any personal interest when discussing an application that would affect his own property. In the event that this planning application were go to appeal then surely in the interests of common sense the new planning inspector would agree with the original decision of the inspector who included the site as an area for potential development. |