Tenby councillors have approved plans by a bakery to relocate in the town centre, despite voicing concerns about the premises having a cafe style element.

Plans from Greggs PLC came before members of Tenby Town Council at their meeting on Tuesday, with the application setting out proposals for the premises to relocate to the former Lloyds bank building in Tudor Square.

Councillors approved amended plans for a new hardwood shopfront and new fascia and hanging signage, but again voiced previous concerns about there being no ‘change of use’ application submitted by the company to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA).

The town clerk told members that he had consulted with PCNPA and that the Authority’s legal department had stated that as the application only contained proposals for a reduced seating area, the plans wouldn’t warrant a ‘change of use’ application.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that she’d been to three different Greggs branches over the festive period in Cardiff, Swansea and Carmarthen - and that they all contained large cafe style seating areas.

“I don’t agree with this, and it seems to be a case of PCNPA once again brushing it under the counter. I know that it’s a big compnay and an attraction to the town, but if someone elese tried to do this, they wouldn’t get away with it!” she commented.

Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter agreed with her colleague, and said it was planning by ‘stealth’.

“Once they’ve got one foot in with these seating plans, then they will just add and add, and I’m not happy with it,” she remarked.

“It’s no good PCNPA saying that they will monitor the sitaution, if they still won’t enforce any action,” added Clr. Mrs. Brown.

Councillors granted approval for the shopfront and sigange plans, with Clr. Will Rossiter saying that anything devleoped there would be better than what’s there now.

Members agreed to write to PCNPA adding their concerns to their recommendations.

In further correspondence to the the town council, Tenby Civic Society welcomed the revised plans.

“The changes will please all parties involved - it is encouarging to see Greegs being responsive,” wrote Harry Gardiner of the Civic Society.