THE THUMBS up has finally been given to the plans to turn an historic Pembrokeshire landmark into a tourist attraction.

In April, the proposals for St Catherine’s Island, off Tenby’s Castle Beach, came before the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee with a recommendation for approval.

But the lack of a response from statutory consultee, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), left them with no choice but to defer their decision.

Since then, the applicant – Peter Prosser of the Tenby Island Project – and National Park officers have met NRW and confirmed that the required Habitats Regulations Assessment has been carried out and completed.

As a result, case officer Caroline Bowen recommended to a meeting of the committee today (Wednesday) that the application be delegated to senior park managers to grant planning permission for the scheme subject to a number of conditions.

“The proposal will add to the tourist offer of Tenby by providing a new visitor attraction,” said Ms Bowen in her report, adding that the attraction will provide economic benefit as well as protect the integrity of the historic fort by providing a new use.

The application seeks full permission for works to restore and convert the island’s fort; provide new buildings for support services and improving access to create a family visitor attraction.

A petition of opposition from the Lexden Terrace Conservation Group – whose properties overlook the island – had been received by the authority, while Tenby Civic Society advised of three concerns which they felt could be resolved by planning condition.

There was also a petition of support with 838 signatures and 315 comments.

UPDATE: The application has been approved. Full story to follow.