'Nasty attacks' on volunteers over park plans

ELDERLY volunteers working to protect Parc Howard's future claim to have come under "nasty" and "personal" attacks over proposed developments.

Members of the Parc Howard Association Barbara Willis, Eldon Phillips and Ken Rees, say they have suffered a "high level of written and verbal antagonism" following Carmarthenshire Council's proposals to build a car park.

And the abuse has reached a level which has caused long- standing members to consider abandoning their positions.

Earlier this month, Old Road resident Pat Morris started a petition against the planned car park, which she believes could pose a danger to youngsters.

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But 80-year-old PHA secretary Mrs Willis said: "The plans are not even plans, they are just thoughts.

"People are accusing us of making the park unsafe for children. But the PHA's first priority is safety. People come up to us in the street and supermarkets and accuse us of all sorts. We have had enough of it. Over the last month, some of us are feeling very bowed down under it. It's just very, very nasty. It's personal. I've considered quitting, and I've been secretary of the PHA since it was formed. I'm not sure how much longer I can take it."

Despite campaigning against the proposals, Mrs Morris, 72, also condemned the alleged attacks. She said: "We are too old to even dream of any unpleasantness, we just want safety for our children. I would never condone anybody being discourteous, rude or insulting to anyone. The main reason for my point of view is children being able to breathe healthy air. And there are so many aspects of safety here."

Mrs Morris added that her petition had attracted nearly 800 signatures opposing the plans.

Carmarthenshire Council said it has deferred the planned £5.5million grant bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund so an agreement can be reached.

Meryl Gravell, executive board member for leisure services, said: "We have deferred the bid because we have only got once chance to get this right, show unity and satisfy the strict criteria set by our potential funders."

The plans will be discussed at a public meeting on Saturday, March 2, at Llanelli Library's Athenaeum Hall at 10.30am.

Letters — page 10