Plans to provide two new retail units at the former Royal Mail Depot site in Tenby were unanimously approved this week and labelled a ‘cracking’ example of regeneration.

The application submitted by Mr. P. Walker seeking approval for a proposed change of use, extensions and alterations to provide two new retail units on the ground floor and a holiday let apartment above, at the former Royal Mail Garage site, located at The Green, was given the go-ahead by members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee, when they meet to discuss the development on Wednesday.

The host building is a two and a half storey traditional stone building, adjacent to the recent Co-op development and has associated parking and boundary enclosures, with the plans also including three new roof windows, associated external works and access improvements.

Despite Tenby Town Council and Tenby Civic Society both voicing their concerns over highway safety, access to the site and the proposed parking layout, PCNPA case officer Andrew Richards told the meeting that Pembrokeshire County Council’s transportation and environment section had given their support to the scheme, stating that the current scheme is not considered to increase the level of traffic generated to this site based on the fact that the previous consent provided seven independent offices.

The development’s architect David Williams told the meeting that he and the developers had worked closely with the planning and highways officers to address any issues, and that the the current amended scheme included details for improvements to both vehicle and pedestrian visibility at the site’s access through the lowering of the adjacent boundary walls and pillars either side of the entrance way, and that this together with a widening of the drop kerbs abutting the road would improve visibility entering and exiting the site.

Planning committee member Clr. Phil Kidney said that he couldn’t see a problem with the proposals if everyone seemed happy with the management plan, with his colleague Clr. Mike Evans echoing those thoughts.

“This is a cracking example of regeneration!” he commented.

“I’ve walked past that run down building for 20 years, and working with the National Parks the developers have shown an excellent standard of workmanship, and the local tradesmen involved have done a cracking job.

“The retail units will also bring more jobs into the area.”

Clr. Evans added that his only concern was that as the route was on the way to Greenhill School, could there be a way of highlighting safety for those pedestrians crossing the site entrance.

Committee deputy chairman Clr. Michael Williams said that he’d like to see the parking restrictions opposite the site’s entrance ‘toughened up’.

“The double yellow lines across the road are generally fairly well ignored!” he remarked.

Committee member Clr. Phil Baker, Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet member for planning and infrastructure said that he’d take on board the points and speak to relevant officers, before commenting that it was great to see the building being ‘brought back to life’.

Development management committee members unanimously agreed to approve the scheme.