THE FUTURE development of the Narberth School site has once again been thrown into question after Pembrokeshire County Council failed to reach an agreement with the developer.

Narberth Councillor Wynne Evans has revealed that both parties will not proceed with the plans and that a new scheme is being discussed which includes a small scale housing development.

A statement from the Council says that they do not feel that the proposal builds on the viability and vitality of the town centre.

The news comes just weeks after the council was criticised for what Cllr Jacob Williams described as their miss-management of the situation.

The Cabinet had previously made a loan to the preferred developer but this was called in by Cllr Williams who stressed that the council should have gone back out to tender in July.

At another Council meeting, in October, the Director of Development, Dr Stephen Jones, told council that the developers had said the ‘viability of the project remained marginal’.

Cllr Wynne Evans said: “The future development of the former Narberth primary school is again in question. The current developer was given until the end of the month to reach an agreement with Pembrokeshire County Council.

“I can confirm that both parties are not going to proceed. It is now apparent that the old school will be demolished in early spring, creating parking, while a new, possibly non-retail, scheme is being considered by the council asset strategy group, which may consist of a small scale housing development.

“It is clear that seven years after the school became vacant, it is back to the start process yet again, however I hope my successor in May’s election will support the great need for social housing to be considered on that site, administered by someone like Pembrokeshire Housing offering good affordable rental accommodation for young and old alike.”

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council told the Herald: “Pembrokeshire County Council and the proposed developers of the Old School, Narberth, have mutually agreed not to proceed with the scheme for which planning consent has been granted to develop the site.

“While the developers have established demand with a new tenant line-up, Pembrokeshire County Council does not feel that the proposal builds on the viability and vitality of the town centre or builds on the existing strengths of the town’s retail offer, as required in the original development brief.

“The proposals could be further varied in line with the Council’s and developer’s current discussions but cannot be implemented under the current Procurement Rules.

“Pembrokeshire County Council will now assess the future use of the site before deciding whether to, or how to, remarket the opportunity.”

Local Member, County Councillor Wynne Evans, said he hoped that the County Council considers the social housing element part of the scheme which has always been his priority.

He added: “We must make certain there is affordable provision for the young families of Narberth.”