THE FIVE ARCHES car park in Tenby is set to become permanent after members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park were minded to approve an application.

The Park’s Development Management Committee met today (Mar 14) to discuss the car park becoming permanent but were faced with a recommendation of refusal from officers.

Officers were of the opinion that the town already has sufficient car parking spaces and a park and ride service.

However, members of the committee felt that the car park could only be of ‘benefit’ to the town describing the ‘huge amount of support’ for it from the public.

The application, submitted by Five Arches Car Park Ltd, will now be subject to a cooling off period and will come back to the next meeting of the Committee for final determination.

Since the garage on the site closed down, temporary car parking orders have been in place from 2011, and the application would also bring an uplift to the state of the car park and new pay machines.

Speaking in support of the application, Tenby Town Council Clerk Andrew Davies told the committee: “This car park is a valuable asset to the town and has had no adverse impact. We agree with reducing the traffic in the centre of Tenby and this car park is an asset towards achieving that goal as it is within easy walking distance of the Town centre.

“Since initial temporary consent was given for the car park, residents parking permits have increased. This car park is located close to the centre and a number of hotels and they welcome its availability.

“The additional car park has eased congestion and the Town Council believes it would be better to utilise and upgrade this rather than allow it to be left vacant.”

The agent for the application, Mr Giles Birt added: “I am very familiar with the parking issues and this is why we want to invest in this site and it would benefit from resurfacing. There have been no instances of the car park causing congestion and revenue has increased year on year.

“Tenby is one of the most visited towns and the use of this car park has proved its need. The site has significantly improved traffic management and it supports all employment sites in the town. It has also been used for the Ironman event and mobile banks.”

Cllr Phil Baker said: “There is a great amount of on-street parking and this car park is used extremely well. I would hate to see the site surrounded by boarding whilst we wait for a client for the site to be found and many people still use their cars to get in to the town.”

Tenby Cllr Mike Williams added that the car park had been an ‘outstanding success’ over the last six years saying: “There is a huge amount of support for this, people park in the car park with easy access to the town and this can only be for the benefit of Tenby.”

Mr Ted Sangster called for a bit of common sense, stating that if it was refused the site would be empty for a certain amount of time until a buyer was found for it.

Mrs Julie James considered whether or not another temporary parking arrangement could be made to allow for the site to be included in the new Local Development Plan is brought out but members were told that would not be ready until late 2019.

Cllr Mike Evans added: “This area has been a game changer for hard working people, this car park has transformed businesses with parking on the doorstep. There has been an uplift in Tenby and its people.

“This site also protects employment and it has been used for car parking for many more years. The Park and ride is being undermined; that runs for seven hours a day from 11am to 6pm, Tenby is open for more than seven hours a day. Traffic congestion has been improved in the area and it is also vital to events.

“The need has been demonstrated, Tenby needs visitors and this is aiding this. I propose that we pass this and allow the owners of the site to invest in it.”

When it was put to the vote, thirteen voted in favour of approval, with two voting against and one abstention.