A Penally resident has flagged up concerns over the proposed development of a site in the village which was once used to billet troops during World War I.

John Payne told the Observer that following a chance conversation with a neighbour, he discovered that the field in Penally (known as Volunteers’ Field), bordered by Fourwinds Lane, School Lane and the A4319 Penally By-Pass, which is currently used for agriculture has been submitted as a site for housing in the Pembrokeshire County Council ‘Local Development Plan’.

“The views it provides for the residents of Penally would be ruined, and it would be a blot on the landscape for walkers, golfers, and visitors to the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast,” said Mr. Payne.

“The by-pass is a fast and dangerous road, and goodness knows what problems would be caused by creating new access points.

“I appreciate that more housing is needed, but surely that can be done without ruining the lives of so many people.

“Penally has a long history of supporting the military, and Volunteers’ Field was used to billet troops during the First World War. It is ironic that the closing date for submissions to prevent this madness, is June 6 - the 75th anniversary of D-Day,” he added.

Mr. Payne has contacted local county councillor Jon Preston with his concerns, who confirmed that the site has been submitted as a candidate site for housing in the new LDP, with the consultation period for submission of comments on the additional candidate sites running until Thursday, June 6.