MP for Monmouth, David T C Davies MP, has spoken out against planning delays faced by a local joinery business run by James and Charles Davies. The Davies run their business at Wonastow House and employ several people who work on the premises in an outbuilding.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have recently condemned the outbuilding and threatened to close it which could have resulted in the loss of three jobs. Instead the Davies’ immediately offered to build a new outhouse and set about seeking planning permission.
However the Gwent and Glamorgan Archaeological Trust have objected because of their interest in some concrete slabs which were put down by soldiers who were stationed there during the Second World War.
David Davies MP stated “If we were talking about a bronze age ship or a Roman villa I could see their point. However, it is ridiculous to delay planning permission due to the discovery of a Second World War concrete slab. I have spoken directly to Glamorgan and Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) and they have told me the slabs are important to our history. This is true, but having spoken to many World War Two heroes over the years I do not believe for the sake of a concrete slab they would want three people to losing their jobs.
The Davies’ can’t win whatever they do. They are being told they can’t work in the existing outhouses by the HSE but prevented from building a new one by the GGAT.
It is time that the Trust showed some common sense and used their powers responsibly. People like James and Charles are putting money back into the local economy and employing people. We should be supporting them, not putting barriers in their way”.
Statement from James and Charles from Charles Davies Joinery – We are very grateful for David’s help in this matter. We think it is scandalous that neighbouring planning applications on or adjacent to “a suspected archaeological horizon of Roman Date” (GGAT’s words) have had planning approved with only a conditional watching brief (in the manner indicated by Welsh Officer Circular 60/96 section 23) but our bits of half buried mid 20th century rusty tin sheets, concrete bases and associated drainage works are deemed to merit great archaeological significance and require a full survey prior to the application being determined. This is a direct threat to our business and our employees. Recent years have demonstrated that without a thriving business community we can barely afford an adequate national health service, let alone these humanity inspired indulgences”.