Pembrokeshire National Park

It is believed this is the first such decision made by a Welsh planning authority while similar policies have already been adopted by English national parks such as Exmoor and the Lake District.

However, a former Chairman of Pembrokeshire county Council has criticised the policy.

"I'm glad it's a consultation paper, but I gather they are implementing it now, and that worries me a little," said councillor Alwyn Luke.

"I'd like to think this goes further to consultation and that we as local people have a further say before it is implemented," he added.

Planning officer Martina Dunne said a barrister's opinion had been sought to verify the legitimacy of the policy which still has to go out for public consultation.

All future applications for new homes will have to prove a need for residential accommodation for local people.

This will be based on either a three year residency qualification, family connections, previous residency or previous or current employment.

Language communities

It is estimated that the national park receives an average of 100 such applications annually and it is envisaged that the number of future recommendations of such applications will be reduced drastically.

The move is seen as an attempt to curtail the number of holiday and retirement homes within the national park as well as speculative building.

Skomer Island is along the park's 180-mile coastline

Pembrokeshire National Park stretches from Tenby in the south through St David's and Newport as far north as the outskirts of St Dogmaels - a distance of 180 miles.

The policy refers to the need to protect what are described as sustainable communities as well as Welsh language communities.

However, a spokesman for the Welsh Language Society stressed it is not a linguistic issue.

"It is a socio-economic issue," said vice-chairman Huw Lewis.

"The demise of the Welsh language can be seen as a symptom - We respect the values of vibrant communities, be they Welsh-speaking or not," he added.

Although the policy has already been adopted by the national park, it will still be open for scrutiny as it is included in the draft Joint Unitary Development Plan drawn up with Pembrokeshire County Council.

The draft plan is due to be published for public consultation in the spring.