A charity’s bid to install pay and display meters at a popular beauty spot have been knocked back by council planners.
Three separate applications were discussed by Anglesey Council’s Planning Committee this afternoon, with the RSPB hoping to install the meters at Elin’s Tower and the Visitor’s Centre car parks at South Stack near Holyhead.
But following a local campaign against the plans to implement a £5 flat fee during the peak season and £2.50 during the winter months, members have given the plans a cold shoulder.
Addressing members, former county councillor, Jeff Evans, described the RSPB proposals as “unjust, unfair and with serious health and safety implications.”
He raised further concerns that cars would “bank up” where there were no double yellow lines, raising further health and safety issues.
Laura Kudelska, on behalf of the RSPB, reassured the committee that the funds raised will be reinvested into the facilities.
“We’re aware of concerns but this application is for the parking meters and not the charges,” she added.
“There will be a trial concessionary rate for Holy Island residents.”
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But many members were unconvinced, with Cllr Robin Williams describing the RSPB’s plans as ‘abhorrent’ despite seeing no planning reasons to refuse the bid.
“How much more money does the RSPB seriously need?” he asked.
“£5 for potentially 10 minutes is abhorrent, we’d be shot down in flames if we tried to do this as a council.
“Its disgraceful, nothing more than daylight robbery but there are no planning grounds for us to decline it.”
“Once they put this fee up to £5 it will create problems outside the car parks,” added Cllr Trefor Lloyd Hughes.
“The RSPB has not even consulted with the lighthouse operators, this will be a disaster and smacks of ‘I’m alright Jack”
Fellow local member, Cllr Dafydd Rhys Thomas, raised further concerns that the move would drive locals and visitors away,
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“The RSPB do some great work but don’t always get things right,” he added.
“These meters are a tax on the public and will affect the deprived the most.”
Members turned down bids by the RSPB for pay and display meters at both the RSPB visitors centre and Elin’s Tower.
However, as they went against the advice of officers, the plans will be put in front of the planning committee once again following a month’s ‘cooling off period’.
A separate RSPB application for a non-illuminated sign and parking meters at South Stack visitors centre will be delayed for a month to allow members to carry out a site visit, on the request of Cllr John Arwel Roberts.
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