Local councillors have labelled planning policies within the National Park as 'farcical', claiming that the situation with some applications was now becoming 'preposterous'.

At a recent meeting of Tenby Town Council, members stated that stricter rules regarding retrospective planning works in Tenby were required, and asked for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to take stronger action in certain cases, as more and more examples seemed to be cropping up across the town.

However, councillors were informed by PCNPA's director of park direction and planning, Jane Gibson, that the authority could not fine anybody for retrospective planning work, as it was not illegal.

The topic was raised again at Tuesday night's meeting of the council, when discussing an application for a food outlet on Trafalgar Road, which was seeking to vary a condition to allow the sale of hot takeaway food until 9.30 pm.

The town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, explained that permission had been granted for the Café Aromas premises last year to allow the business to sell hot food off the menu to takeaway, but since then the establishment had become known as 'Tenby's Traditional Fish and Chips'.

"This latest application aims to extend the hours of the business over the summer to 9.30 pm rather than 8.30 pm," said Mr. Davies.

"Councillors were a little concerned about the application last year, feeling that longer opening hours would be detrimental to residents in that area," he continued.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall said that this was yet another example of the planning process being flawed.

"We've talked previously about people abusing the planning process in this town and it's wrong. We were told at the time of making a decision on this application that this business would be selling the likes of hot paninis off their menu and it was not suggested that it would be anything else," he commented.

"Hopefully PCNPA are learning from examples like this and others in Tenby, not to keep making the same mistakes. I'd absolutely reject this latest application," continued Clr. Blackhall, commenting that the whole planning process was becoming "preposterous".

Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter agreed with her colleague: "This is planning by stealth. They're moving the goal-posts as they're going along!" she said.

Correspondence from Tenby Civic Society's planning sub-committee stated that the organisation was also objecting to the 'variation of hours' condition.

"The way this part of the 'use' classes order is 'working' in Tenby suggests the changes the Assembly made are a mistake, as we commented in Assembly consultations," wrote Civic Society member Harry Gardiner.

Councillors agreed to recommend refusal of the application, with several letters of objection they had received also being passed on to PCNPA.

Further correspondence from PCNPA's director of park direction and planning was received at the meeting on how planning information within the National Park can be accessed.

"We offer a free service to anyone (wherever they live) who wants to receive the emailed weekly list of planning applications that have been submitted in the National Park, and those applications that have been determined too. Just send your request, by email, to [email protected]">[email protected] and ask to receive weekly lists," explained Mrs. Gibson.

"We also now have a free planning surgery which gives further advice when a face to face meeting with a planner may be the easiest way forward for you. This is held at Llanion, Pembroke Dock, on Thursdays," continued Mrs. Gibson, explaining that slots were limited to 30 minutes only on a first come first served basis and that the reception could be contacted on 0845 345 7275 to book an appointment.