A RECOMMENDATION to refuse retrospective permission for the storage of timber from a Ceredigion sawmill at land in Cenarth could leave “a huge question mark over jobs”, it has been warned.

Plans for James Davies Sawmills of Newbridge to store timber at Gwarchal Dwmbo (pictured) went before planners were officers had recommended refusal over road safety fears.

A report into the plans said: “The local authority’s highways department objected to the development on the site due to the serious substandard shortcomings of the junction of the unclassified road serving the site with the A484.

“The junction has serious shortcomings and a small percentage increase would normally be material as would any additional turning movements which in the case of heavily-laden, slow-moving vehicles might have serious safety implications for road users.”

Cllr John Davies said that the sawmills have a “huge economic influence on the surrounding rural area of south Ceredigion” and that it is “of paramount importance that all is done to support the sustainable future of the business”.

“We have seen over the last few months all governments doing whatever is necessary to protect the future of the Tata steel works for the benefit of all involved," he said. “I would duly suggest the same principle needs to be applied in the case of this planning application.

“To refuse the application will lead to no highway improvements and the result will be no safety betterment and certainly a huge question mark over the sustainable future of 40 jobs.

“Nobody gains from a decision to refuse the application.”

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