Save Old Pennar School - PCC forget to follow their own plans!

First of all, I must apologise in advance. The post below is pretty boring, but to challenge the demolition of Old Pennar School we all have to be understanding of the way the planners will make their decisions. Here goes........ if it matters, you will keep up!

Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) has a Local Development Plan (LDP). The full document can be downloaded from PCC LDP. The link will also give you access to some very clear maps of Pembrokeshire which are very useful for building up an insight into the future "layout" of the county.

Naturally, given my attachment to and love of Pembrokeshire, I have read this document and have noticed a few things...........

This glossy booklet of 184 pages sets out what the County Council's vision for the future of Pembrokeshire is. It was adopted in February 2013 and it is the document that guides the future decision making of the council. The forward by Councillor Rob Lewis says, in part,

"This Local Development Plan provides the framework for decisions to be made up

until 2021 on how land is used and developed, for example what type of

development is appropriate or desirable for Pembrokeshire’s economy,

communities and environment and how best to secure resilience to climate

change and to bring forward affordable housing through the Planning System. It is

the culmination of a major piece of work that has included engaging with the

community, stakeholders, and elected members over a number of years and its

completion and adoption is a significant milestone for the County Council."

I wonder how much the process all cost? Another day perhaps...... However, we all need rules to guide us....................?

In relation to the future of Old Pennar School, the sections on General Policy, that relate to Affordable Housing and the site of the school, are particularly relevant

GN.26 Residential Development p. 110

GN.27 Residential Allocations p. 113

GN.28 Local Needs Affordable Housing p. 116

GN.29 Exception Sites for Local Needs Affordable Housing p. 118

GN.33 Community Facilities p. 121

GN.37 Protection and Enhancement of Biodiversity p. 126

GN.38 Protection and Enhancement of the Historic Environment p. 127

The LDP (page 111) gives PCC policy in relation to redevelopment of sites for housing as:

“6.111 Redevelopment or replacement can allow the development of housing accommodation which is better adapted to meeting present and future housing needs, contribute to energy efficiency and reduced carbon dioxide levels as long as the quality of the environment is enhanced. The existing dwelling should not be a Listed Building, or an important building that defines the character of an area.”

Demolishing the school will erode the identity of Pennar.

A view of the east wing of Old Pennar School

The church and school, along with places work, define the character of any community. In Pennar, the old school, St Patrick's Church, the church hall and the park at the eastern end of Military Road are a focal point for the community. They have a special significance as a group of community buildings. They are landmarks that must have been seen and passed by all who have ever visited this very independent suburb of Pembroke Dock. The

Pennar Hall, used as a canteen for the school and  church Sunday school

school building, commanding an imposing raised plot overlooking the sole road access to Pennar, with its dedication plaque high on its north-east gable, marks the time when the district began to declare its own unique identity. The end of the the nineteenth century saw the arrival of shipbuilding on the Pembroke River, a proposal to run a railway to East Pennar and the arrival of the Royal Engineers on the headland at the end of Military Road. The school is a symbol of this period of time when Pennar came of age.

Please help stop this local landmark form being demolished!!

St Patrick's, Pennar, from the East

The view form the entrance to the park  just up the road and opposite
Old Pennar School. Here sports days, football and cricket games took place,
overlooking medieval Pembroke

Military Road from the park gates

Treowen Road from in front of the church and hall