Devotees may well be aware that in August 2005 the Temple built a coach park at Skanda Vale accessed via an alternative route to normal Temple traffic. The coach park was built by the members of the Community with charitable funds donated by pilgrims. The decision of the Temple to provide this much needed facility for pilgrims was taken to minimise local traffic congestion caused by coaches transferring pilgrims to minibus shuttles and to reduce the cost of travel and inconvenience for devotees coming on pilgrimage.

 

Some 90,000 pilgrims per year travel to worship at Skanda Vale and the Temple is very aware that for many devotees who are elderly, frail and disadvantaged organised pilgrimages by coach represent the only feasible way for those people to come to Skanda Vale. Many Temple and Community groups and organisations throughout the UK have provided a much needed service for these people helping them to observe and practice their religion through organising coach groups coming to worship at the Temples of Skanda Vale.

 

Between August 2005 and October 2006 approximately 150 coaches successfully used the coach park at Skanda Vale. A substantial reduction in traffic congestion was observed on the normal temple route and the safety of pilgrims coming by coach was enhanced by being able to travel directly to the Temple.

 

A recent high court decision in favour of the Temple confirmed that a full right of access across privately owned land exists for the Temple to bring coaches to the new coach park. The Coach park had been constructed following discussions held in late 2004 with our local councillor, the police and highways department who had also actively sought the Temple to provide parking for coaches using this alternative access. However following completion of the work the council planning department requested a planning application be submitted to regularise the development. In October 2006 Carmarthenshire County Council planning Committee made the remarkable decision to refuse planning permission. The Temple appealed to the National Assembly for Wales however the appeal was dismissed in March 2007.

 

It is clear that both Carmarthenshire County Council and the National Assembly planning inspectorate have chosen to ignore the requirements of a 90,000 strong annual congregation and seem to believe that through refusing planning permission they can prevent pilgrims from freely coming to worship at Skanda Vale. Most local authorities would celebrate and promote an opportunity to increase diversity and equality especially one that brings peoples of many differing cultures and faiths together to worship in harmony as Skanda Vale has been successful in achieving in over thirty years of work.

 

They fail to understand that it is through the excellence of pilgrim’s experience of worship at Skanda Vale that thousands are drawn to our Temples. We have no need to advertise, pilgrims come of their own volition. No charge is ever made by the Temple and our service to humanity extends to many areas including feeding those in need throughout deprived areas of the world and our local hospice service caring for those with a terminal illness.

 

It is important to continue to exercise your right to worship freely. Although, as a result of the recent planning decision, coaches are no longer able to directly travel and park at Skanda Vale we advise groups to either travel directly by minibus or if this is not feasible transfer from coach to a privately contracted local minibus shuttle. The Temple does not have the resources or manpower to operate its own shuttle service outside the grounds of Skanda Vale. Transfers from coach to minibus should be arranged away from the village of Llanpumsaint at a suitable safe location. Details of various companies that would operate a shuttle can be obtained from Carmarthenshire Tourist office Tel: 01267 231557

 

Groups still need to apply for permission to come to ensure that pilgrimages are properly organised, coordinated and on a not for profit basis. Click here for further information.

 

Skanda Vale is a registered charity and we have done all we can by funding and building the coach park to provide a practical solution to enable pilgrims to safely travel directly by coach to the Temple. Carmarthenshire County Council has clearly failed, showing no willingness to engage in constructive dialogue. By its decision to refuse planning permission we are not able to use the coach park and are back to the position of 2004. The onus has now to be on the council to address the responsibility it has taken upon itself by refusal of planning consent, in finding an alternative solution to provide adequate facilities to enable members of the public to travel to the Temple on pilgrimage and observe their right to freely worship.

 

Skanda Vale is your Temple. It is a basic human right for Devotees to come to worship. Group pilgrimage to the Temple is at the very heart of culture and religious tradition. Defend Dharma and express your support for Skanda Vale and our service for pilgrims from the ethnic Communities throughout the UK to freely worship God. We invite you to take the opportunity to enlighten those in authority to the needs and requirements of the ethnic communities to worship, and we suggest you write to the following people, your MP and those who may be of assistance. A model letter is available by clicking here. We would be grateful to receive a copy of your letter.

 

Mr Mark James

Chief Executive Carmarthenshire County Council

County Hall
Carmarthen
Carmarthenshire
SA31 1JP
Tel: 01267 224110
Fax: 01267 224105
Email: MJames@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

 

 

Mr. Nick Ainger  M.P.

House of Commons

London SW1A 0AA

0207 219 2690

01646 684 404

Email: aingern@parliament.uk

 

Mrs. Angela Burns A.M.

Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire Conservative & Unionist Association,

Hazelwell Club, St Florence Parade,

Tenby, SA70 7DS.

01834 849007

Email: angela@angelaburns.co.uk