I WROTE last month to put on record my ongoing disappointment with regards the sporadic blue hoardings and steel fencing that remained in situ outside the town's Beachcliff buildings.

Cllr Anthony Ernest's demanding of the Vale council to “sort out” obstructions along the seafront prompted my letter.

I write today following confirmation by your reporter that the Beachcliff development is, at long last, completed.

In your story, Cllr Clive Williams, another veteran of local government in our region, praises the property developer responsible for his commitment and says: “I would like to congratulate Richard Hayward and his team and the Vale of Glamorgan Planning Department on the completion of Beachcliff, transforming this impressive Edwardian building back to its former glory with a unique mix of quality homes, a hotel and restaurant.” I would echo those sentiments wholeheartedly, but for the eight years it took him and the erstwhile planning department to complete.

Cllr Williams adds that the Vale Planning Department had been keen to support the development at all stages “being mindful a lesser developer could have abandoned the project due to the many problems outside of their control”. Please, tell us more.

We humble, taxpaying Penarthians are still none the wiser as to the reasons behind the catastrophic hatchet job all parties made in creating – and leaving idle – the Beachcliff bone yard.

It remains something of a mystery as to how this blight on our landscape was ever allowed to happen. The Esplanade is the jewel in Penarth’s crown, as indeed Cllr Williams alludes.

But who was responsible for tearing it apart in the first place? Answers are the least we deserve for eight years of the town's notorious eyesore.

Perhaps someone better placed than hapless local residents can fill us all in.

John Guy

Dinas Road

Penarth