Council responds after 'ugly' structure appears in Pembrokeshire town centre
Pembrokeshire County Council has said planning permission was not needed to build an 'ugly' bike charging station in the middle of a local conservation area.
The e-bike charging station seemed as if it had popped up overnight towards the middle of May.
The large grey object, which looks a bit like a picnic table with a giant platform, had locals baffled as to its purpose when it appeared in Fishguard's Fordd yr Efail.
It has been built opposite the bus station on the multi-million pound Chimney's Link road scheme.
Locals complained about the ugly nature of the structure. Some also questioned how it had been installed on the block paving without any planning permission.
Pembrokeshire County Council said that the station, known as a Zolar Tree, came within the remit of permitted development and therefore did not need planning permission.
A council spokesperson added that, because the structure is located in a designated conservation area, the authority's historic buildings conservation officer has been consulted and deemed the development 'suitable'.
They added that the location of the Zolar tree opposite the bus station would allow easy transition between two modes of transport.
'The local planning authority is of the opinion that the scheme constitutes permitted development and as such the highway authority can carry out such works without a planning application being required,' said a council spokesperson.
'Given the location of the site within a designated heritage asset, Fishguard Conservation Area, due regard was given to the need to ensure that this structure was appropriate to the conservation area.
'The council's historic buildings conservation officer has been consulted and considers the structure to be acceptable at this location given the context of development within the surrounding area and the new public realm works around the Chimney Links and the new Co-Op Store.
'The site is also adjacent to the bus turnaround area and facilitates easy modal shift between modes for residents and visitors.'
Last October cabinet member for resident services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, told a meeting of council that the e-bike scheme had proved popular.
Cllr Sinnett added that as many as 50 additional bikes, with extra security features along with 'solar tree' charging facilities, were expected soon at no additional cost and there had been requests for the scheme to expand into other areas.
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