DEVELOPMENT firm Conygar has re-affirmed its committment to bringing a "state-of-the-art multi-screen cinema" to Haverfordwest.

As locals take a closer look at the latest plans to transform the town centre, the firm has said it still intends to proceed with plans for the Slade Lane site - pending approval from the county council.

Freddie Jones, of Conygar, told the Western Telegraph the firm was in "advanced negotiations with two potential operators".

"Our scheme, for which we applied for planning permission back in June, is fully funded and we are ready to proceed, once the council has considered our application," he said.

Mr Jones said the Slade Lane site was "only a few minutes’ walk from the town centre", and would not be "blighted" by the flood risks elsewhere.

Conygar's plans include restaurants, neighbouring "parade" of shops, and "ample free parking".

"We know that a large number of Pembrokeshire people drive regularly to the nearest multiplex cinema in Carmarthen, so there’s no doubt that the county needs its own modern facility," he continued.

"We are confident that our scheme will draw residents from throughout the county and visitors alike into the county town, which can only be good for Haverfordwest."

Added Mr Jones: "It is clear that both cinema operators, to whom we are talking, require the new cinema to be up and running by spring 2018 and only Conygar is able to meet this deadline.

"All we need is planning consent from Pembrokeshire County Council and, given that, we will be on site early in the new year.”

The story so far...

In June, Conygar put forward plans for a cinema and restaurants, with parking for 168 cars, along with a separate plan for a hotel and shops.

The proposal has yet to go before county councillors, but several local organisations voiced opposition to the plans.

Among them was Haverfordwest Business Circle, who said the plans would be "another nail in the coffin of an already struggling town centre".

"The location for the proposed retail park is too far away to be any benefit to the town centre, and will simply draw more people away," it said.

The Slade Lane site was formerly earmarked for a Sainsbury’s superstore, but in March 2015 the supermarket giant confirmed it had pulled its plans, following a ‘review of future interests’.

A public exhibition will take place at the Mariners’ Hotel in Haverfordwest, on November 4 and 5, where locals can meet with Conygar representatives, and voice their opinions.