A controversial planning application which would see a national fast food chain sited alongside Tenby’s war memorial looks set to be passed.

The application which has been submitted to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority by Dominos UK for a change of use from Class A1 (retail) to Class A3 (hot food takeaway) use, at the newly-built units along the South Parade, is set to go before the PCNPA development management committee on Wednesday.

A second application from the pizza company to allow two fascia signs and two projecting signs at the premises will also be discussed at the meeting.

Tenby Town Council and Tenby Civic Society have both objected to the applications, feeling that the signage on the side of the building behind the town’s War Memorial would be disrespectful and would have a negative impact on the setting of this listed structure and its gardens.

Speaking on the application at a meeting of the town council, Clr. Trevor Hallett said that it would be ‘totally disrespectful’ to the honour of those that have fallen in war to have a fastfood takeaway premises situated next to the cenotaph, especially with illuminated signage on display, with his colleague Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter agreeing.

“Think about the litter and the noise next to the peaceful war memorial garden, as well as the extra traffic problems caused along the South Parade,” she remarked, while Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that everybody she’d spoken to who had stopped her in the street had suggested that if this application goes through, then the town council is not doing its job properly.

“I totally disagree with the application and feel really cross about it! I hope it never comes, but as I said to someone the other day, if it does get through, then I’d even threaten to resign, as I do not want it to be on our plate as a town council,” she remarked.

13 letters of objection have been received by the PCNPA authority, one of which represents six residents of the flats above the application site.

PCNPA’s own building conservation officer has also noted their concern regarding the signage on the side elevation in a report that is set to go before the planning committee.

They have recommended turning the south-west (Upper Park Road) hanging sign around to hang on the west elevation, as it would be less intrusive when viewed across the War Memorial gardens; and also removing the illumination from the west fascia sign.

Planning case officer for PCNPA Caroline Bowen, has recommended that the signage application be delegated to the development management team leader to issue consent subject to the receipt of acceptable amended plans, and subject to standard advertisement conditions.

Ms Bowen has also recommended that the ‘change of use’ application also be delegated to the team leader to grant permission, subject to a transport management plan; the receipt of details of suitable acoustic details, and a list of further conditions, including - waste collections to only be permitted between 7 am and 7 pm, Monday to Friday; and that the store be closed to members of the public at 10 pm, with deliveries up until midnight.

The meeting of PCNPA’s development management committee will be held on Wednesday at 10 am, at Llanion Park, Pembroke Dock.