Extremely disappointed: Cllr Tudor

A PLANNING application to build 24 new homes on land off Slade Lane, Haverfordwest, has been approved despite concerns from the local councillor.

Cllr Tom Tudor appealed, in a letter sent to the Planning and Rights of Way Committee, for members to vote for a site visit so they could see the issues posed.

However, the committee, which met on Tuesday (May 17), felt that there was no problem with the site and approved the plans by a majority.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Tudor said:

“I am extremely disappointed that the committee members did not take on board and act on my suggestion of a site visit so that they could see for themselves the dangerous highway and traffic issues that will undoubtedly arise from this development.

“I am also bemused as to why the committ ee failed to take on board previous recommendations as development on this site was considered and rejected in 2001 by Mr John D Wallis, Planning Inspector for the then Welsh Office Planning Inspector when he presented a report in respect of the Appeal by Hillwest Ltd in relation to application 97/0808/ PA to build 9 houses and or bungalows on land at the north-western edge of Slade Lane, in fact Mr Wallis does clearly state in his report:

“I agree with the Council that further housing with vehicular access off Slade Lane, St Martins Park or Crowhill Road should be discouraged as a matter of policy.”

The planning application from 2001 was also highlighted as this had been refused with a planning inspector stating in a report that both directions on Slade Lane were ‘potentially extremely hazardous’.

Cllr Tom Tudor’s letter, read out by Cllr Tom Richards, stated: “The main concerns voiced to me largely focus on the negative highway and traffic issues that would develop if this application is approved.

“The traffic congestion which takes place on a daily occurrence at the bottom end of Slade Lane in the North Crescent area, will undoubtedly exacerbate with the introduction of more cars generated from the new development, and as such jeopardise pedestrian and motorists safety, which I am sure you would agree is something we all would wish to avoid.

“This area of road also suffers from poor forward visibility especially at peak periods resulting in traffic congestion and queuing.

“Alternative access to this development could also be gained from the Crow Hill road B4330 and through St Martins Park, which also has the issue of poor forward visibility for drivers on the junction as one leaves St Martins park on to Crow Hill. These serious inadequacies were fundamental issues raised in 2001 which resulted in a similar planning application to be rejected.

“Whilst I appreciate major works have been undertaken on the Churn Works junction, this in no way has helped to alleviate the traffic problems at the top of Slade Lane and St Martins Park, and if this development were to proceed those traffic issues would as previously stated exacerbate even further.

“Other issues of concern focus on the poor drainage of surface water which Slade lane suffers on a frequent basis. The drains cannot cope with the surface water coming from the proposed development site and bridleway, which often leads to flooding on the highway infrastructure.

“Also an important note, in the event of this development taking place, under no circumstances can I allow, as the local county councillor, any development vehicles ranging from heavy plant machinery to small construction vehicles gaining access to the site via Slade Lane, Crow Hill or St Martins Park.

“Any access to the site for construction development must be via the new access points which have been created on the St David’s road roundabout or via the newly created access point on Thomas Parry Way. Any further disturbance to the residents of Slade lane and St Martins Park will not be accepted; also further heavy plant machinery will damage the road infrastructure which has occurred in the past when building development has taken place.

“In terms of a pedestrian and cyclists safety analysis, this aspect of the plan needs to be risk assessed at the earliest opportunity, particularly when one considers that only part of Slade Lane has a public footpath and no part of Slade lane actually has an official cycle route.

“As a responsible authority I call on Pembrokeshire County Council and its planning committee to convene a site visit with myself so I can appraise and show the committee members the highway and traffic problems that will undoubtedly occur if access to this development is gained via Slade Lane.”

Councillors asked a number of questions about the site but Cllr Keith Lewis said: “I think that it would be wrong of us to cherry pick this particular area for refusal.

“It’s part of the whole package that is agreed within the LDP and should be approved. I accept the restraint in terms of the full development until other items are put in place but I see no problem with this site.”

When it was put to a vote Councillors voted in favour of the application with two abstentions.

Cllr Tudor also revealed that he has contacted his Assembly Member to have this planning application called in by the Welsh Assembly Government.