TWO major farming unions have declared their support for the £60 million Bluestone holiday village project.

The NFU and the FUW believe the project has the potential to create valuable new income opportunities for local farmers.

A number of other leading farming organisations - including the Pembrokeshire Machinery Ring - have also spoken out in favour of the proposals.

Said Pembrokeshire NFU chairman, Steve Alderman: "If this project gets the go-ahead from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Committee, there is no doubt there will be huge knock-on benefits for the county's farming industry and the whole business community in Pembrokeshire as well."

FUW county executive officer Rebecca Williams added: "Our aim, once planning permission is granted, is to identify every avenue and maximise every potential for the Pembrokeshire farming industry."

The declarations of support come after a series of meetings with the project developers to investigate how the county's farming industry can benefit from the project. One of the key benefits mooted is the supply of biomass crops by Pembrokeshire farmers to the holiday village. Said Mr Alderman: "This will provide a valuable new income stream for Pembrokeshire farmers, at the same time as placing Bluestone at the forefront of sustainable tourism and renewable energy techniques." Other initiatives include the provision of retail outlets for Welsh produce to be sold to visitors to the holiday village.

Said Bluestone chief executive William McNamara: "We are delighted to have the support of these two major unions who represent the views of the majority of the Pembrokeshire farming community. Bioenergy is just one of many sustainable initiatives inherent in the Bluestone proposals and one which will provide diversification and a cash crop for county farmers.

"This high level of support is mirrored throughout the business and public sectors in Pembrokeshire and is a reflection of the positive feelings that the people of the county have about the Bluestone project, which will create more than 600 full-time jobs and inject £32 million into the Pembrokeshire economy."

BLUESTONE supporters: Pictured at last week's County Show are (left to right): Rebecca Williams (county executive officer, Pembrokeshire FUW); Meurig Raymond (council delegate, Pembrokeshire NFU); Steve Bradley (agricultural officer, PLANED); Steve Alderman (county chairman, Pembrokeshire NFU); Sir Ben Gill (president, NFU England and Wales); William McNamara (Bluestone chief executive); Robert Voyle (county chairman, Pembrokeshire FUW); Paul Ratcliffe (chairman, Pembrokeshire BioEnergy steering group); Graham Perkins (Pembrokeshire Machinery Ring) and Alan Pritchard (vice-chairman, Pembrokeshire NFU).