Rock star linked with fortress isle (From Western Telegraph)

Rock star linked with fortress isle

SPECULATION that rock star David Bowie is interested in buying a Pembrokeshire fortress island has unimpressed the locals.

If the rumour proves to be true and Bowie buys Thorne Island, from the Van Essen Hotels Group, as a private retreat, the economic spin-offs would be less lucrative than if the fortress was turned into a hotel.

Councillor John Allen-Mirehouse, deputy leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, lives at the nearby village of Angle. "I have to confess that when I was told about it, I didn't really know who David Bowie was,'' he said. "I don't know what David Bowie's plans are for the island, indeed if he has any at all, but I would prefer to see Van Essen Hotels carrying through their plans,'' said Councillor Allen-Mirehouse. "If it was run as a luxury five-star hotel there would be enormous benefits to Angle, but if it was used as a private residence there would be fewer spin-offs.''

Ambitious plans to create the multi-million hotel on the island remain on hold four-and-a-half years after the Van Essen Hotels Group bought it. It had been awaiting £400,000 of Objective One funding before it could kick-start the fortress conversion and now it has invested in a number of other hotels, which it is currently busy developing.

The group had been planning to spend £4 million transforming the 19th century island fortress into a five-star hotel. Planning permission is in place and includes a cable car link from the mainland.

Van Essen Hotels said it had no plans to withdraw from the project because it fitted in well with its existing portfolio and declined to be drawn on the so-called interest by David Bowie.

The company specialises in converting historic buildings into luxury hotels and bought the two-acre island from Hertfordshire millionaire, Peter Williamson, in September 1999.