Tenby Parking Plan Deemed Risky for Pedestrians and Drivers

A Tenby homeowner wants to improve a parking spot near their “luxury holiday” home. Officials will likely reject the application and may force the owner to block the parking area to protect pedestrians and drivers nearby.

The owner seeks drop kerbs for off-street parking at Ocean House, located at The Norton and The Croft junction. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority received the request, designated as application NP/25/0028/FUL.

However, highway officials recommend application refusal, citing insufficient visibility and safety. Last year, the council restricted parking on The Croft, banning waiting, loading, and unloading at all times from The Norton to St Stephens.

Stephen Benger shared his views, stating that off-street parking is unachievable due to the building blocking views of northbound traffic and the road’s curve along The Croft.

Vehicles exiting would lack sufficient visibility for safe maneuvering. They would reverse onto The Norton or drive onto The Croft, creating visibility problems and limiting the view of pedestrians on footpaths.

Vehicles would also block the footpath when exiting, making it difficult for drivers to see other people. Benger noted that parking was never formally approved, resulting in restrictions being put in place last year.

To prevent future parking there, officials recommend a fence or planters, no taller than 0.6m, around the site, suggesting the owner use the space for something else.

The Tenby Civic Society also supports the refusal, stating car maneuvers would endanger pedestrians, as parked cars would reverse onto a blind corner where the pavement is very narrow.

Tenby Town Council surprisingly recommended approval. The PCNPA committee will decide later, considering evident safety concerns. The development management committee will have the final say.