Planners knocked over access

Barclays' planning application will be discussed on Thursday.

Planners have been accused of not giving enough support to west Wales businesses looking to improve access for the disabled.

Barclays Bank wants to put a ramp and handrail outside its Tenby branch to conform with new rules to make buildings more wheelchair friendly.

But planning officers with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority are recommending the application is refused on the grounds that it is out of keeping with its surroundings.

The Disability Rights Commission of Wales says the authority places too much emphasis on how a building looks and not enough on improving access.

There is a need to strike a balance between access and aesthetics Alun Thomas

Under legislation that comes into force next October, business premises must make every effort to ensure that they are easily accessible to people with disabilities.

The Barclays branch on High Street is a listed building and falls within the Tenby Conservation area.

Planning officers say there is no objection in principle to the alterations but believes a hand-rail would detracted from the appearance of the building and the neighbouring St Mary's Church.

But commission spokesman Alun Thomas told BBC News Online: "This is not the first issue we have had with the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority.

"What I would emphasize is that we all want to enjoy buildings because of their history, however there is a need to strike a balance between access and aesthetics.

"I think so far the balance as far as the park authority is concerned is a bit too much towards aesthetics."

The bank falls within the Tenby Conservation area

He said planners needed to look at "imaginative and creative" ways of tackling the issue.

"Our view is if this can be done to some of the most historic buildings in Florence in Italy surely it can be done with some of our less spectacular listed buildings in Wales."

He said previously the national park had been reported to the commission for allegedly refusing an application for level access to a gallery and café on the grounds it would damage the bedrock in the area.

John Brenchley, Barclays' regional liaison manager, said the company would go ahead with just building a ramp rather than including the hand rail if it meant it would get planning permission.

"We are prepared to co-operate in any way we can because we want to improve access to the building," he said.

In a report, park planning officers state: "This is a difficult situation as legislation is changing next year to require all commercial premises to be accessible to disabled people.

"Whilst there is no objection to a ramp, it is not considered that a handrail can be supported."

The park's development control committee will discuss the application on Thursday.