The special session of the LDP (Local Development Plan) inquiry, dealing with only Newport Related Issues, was held on Thursday 22nd April 2010, in the Memorial Hall in town.

The principal issues examined were the sites in town, proposed and/or supported by the local planning authority (the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority : “NPA”), for allocation for the future siting of new residential housing development in the town (principally subject to a 70% affordable housing criterion) :?as against those alternate sites, which have been proposed by the local community council (the Newport Town Council “NTC”), and other individuals in the town, which have been rejected by the NPA.

The Inspector’s name was Mr. Juniper, and he has been appointed by the Welsh Planning Inspectorate which answers to the Welsh Assembly Government (“WAG”). He is expected to be able to report on his conclusions as to the “soundness” of the current NPA Deposit Draft version of the LDP by the end of the summer. His recommendations will then have to be considered formally by the NPA before adopting a final LDP, which finally must itself be submitted to WAG for approval, before becoming effective.

Alas, only those who last year submitted written representation and specifically box ticked to speak were entitled to address the inquiry, but the audience was open to the general public, and more than 25 local people came to witness the proceedings. In the afternoon the enquiry moved on to consider matters related to Dinas. The following attended to represent the local views in Newport, and generally in opposition to the NPA recommendations:

The following attended to represent the local views in Newport, and generally in opposiotion to the NPA recommendations:

Cllrs. Paul Harries & James Davies (for NTC) Dr Alan Griffiths (formerly of Cafe Fleur) and Ms Ros McGarry (Dan y Mynydd, Feidr Bentick) for the residents in and around Feidr Bentick and in opposition to the Bentick Developments proposals Mr Geraint John (Solicitor – Savills Agent) for Matthew Baker Caravans and the Meyrick Family? and Ms Vivien Carter (for the Caravan Users Group) Mr Reg Atkinson (Chair) for the Newport Memorial Hall Committee.

The Developer wishing to build on the site to the North of Feidr Eglwys (Bentick Developments Inc.) who enjoy the support and recommendation of the NPA were represnted by Mr Mark Robert (RPS Planning Agents)

Whilst, the NPA itself was principally represented by Ms.Sarah Middleton (Forward Planning) and Mr Steve Morgan (Statistical Officer) with Mr. Peter Sedgewick in attendance.

We, of course, were represented by myself (Robbie Manson) with essential assistance from Sandra Bayes (Vice Chair).

To see the various site allocations considered up to and included in the so-called ‘Changes Consultation’ stage refer to this map:

Newport Map (All Sites):

Alternately you may download the following Google Earth Overlay File (“.kmz” file) if you have GE and see all of the Newport Associated allocations and other issues arising under the LDP process.

Newport LDP file.

To see only the sites that went forward for consideration at the Inquiry into the Deposit Draft see this map:

Newport Map (inquiry Stage Sites) :

A copy of the formal written submission made on behalf of NAEG dealing with the Newport aspects only of the LDP process are listed here:

[1] Centre line boundary

[2]  Parrog Hill Area Site Allocations

[3] Feidr Bentick & Feidr Eglwys Sites

[4] Other Issues

Renewable energy policies

As a Group we are committed to lobbying for changes to government policies (at UK, Welsh and County/Park level) to enable and promote a greater reliance on meeting our future energy needs on an increasingly local and renewably generated basis.

In this regard we engage fully with the consultations and debate in recent years concerning the planning rules on the installation of so-called ‘domestic-scale’ renewable energy technology micro-generation installation. This is a fancy way of referring to things like solar heating panels and small-scale wind turbines on a house-holder scale and also includes photovoltaic electricity panels, ground sourced heat pumps, micro-hydro and domestic scale CHP systems.

Our most significant lobbying success to date has probably been to seek a more liberal planning regime in favour of the installation of domestic scale solar heating panels here in Wales than pertains in England. Until as recently as September last (2008) the position in Wales on the thorny issue of when does a householder need to apply for planning permission to install roof mounted solar panels was not only very confused, with different local planning authorities applying different interpretation to the law; but we also didn’t have the benefit of the purpose made provisions, introduced in England as long before as April the previous year (2007), which made specific exemptions in favour of certain technologies. Now, at last, Ms Davidson (Welsh Environment Minister) has introduced the same legislation in Wales, but a little better in that it permits the installation of roof mounted solar panels (without the need of specific planning permission) even if the property is in a Buildings Conservation Area and the roof is visible from the highway.

Local Development Plan

This is the emerging town & country development control plan for the whole of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which is our local planning authority, and which will govern the local planning policy position in the Park up to at least 2021. There are aspects of the general policy provisions with respect to items such as no specific provision favouring allotments, policies that appear to us to speak to recycling centres only on a district wide basis, rather than local community based level, no recognition of the need to make domestic based renewable energy a priority feature of future new build design etc. etc. In addition there are aspects concerning the inadequate proposed policy provisions on general housing issues, in the new plan, as compared to the existing JUDP provisions, which we feel would open up the future of housing development to much greater abuse. To see most of our submission in these general policy areas use the following link:

General Policy provision submissions.

However, of most particular concern to us here in Newport is the National Park Authority’s implacable commitment to allocate sites (in particular within the existing Newport Bay Caravan Park and on the north side of Feidr Egwys) to meet the future community needs for new housing, most especially so-called ‘affordable’ needs. These sites have attracted almost universal criticism amongst both individuals and community groups who attended the two Planning Surgeries which we held last summer, jointly with the Town Council. These issues were examined in a public session of the inquiry into the ‘soundness’ of this plan by the planning inspector, Mr Juniper, who held a special session of the LDP Inquiry dealing with Newport Issues only, during the morning of Thursday 22nd April 2010.

See separate article just about issues covered at this Session titled :

Newport LDP Issues.

It is the firm policy position of NAEG not to support or oppose any particular individual proposal for the allocation of land for housing in Newport , but rather to test and examine the rationale and policy based justifications offered by the PCNPA for having approved or rejected them, from the perspective of seeking a consistent, rationale, comprehensive final plan and thus from the desire to create achievable plan proposals in this regard.