Hundreds of Pembrokeshire businesses have pledged their support for the £60m Bluestone holiday village.

More than 300 companies across a broad range of tourism, retail, manufacturing and service industries in the county are supporting the proposals and calling for the holiday village development to be given the go-ahead.

Said the president of Haverfordwest Chamber of Commerce and Riverside manager Roland Keevill: "If the Bluestone proposals are given the green light by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park committee, then there is no doubt that the project will offer new opportunities for growth to many existing businesses in the county. The project already has the support of a large number of businesses in Pembrokeshire and we hope that others will give their full backing as well."

Mr. Gordon Doughty, town manager employed by Haverfordwest Town Centre Partnership, agreed.

"This poll reflects the considerable level of support amongst the business community in Pembrokeshire who can see that the development will have huge knock-on benefits, not only for their businesses, but also for the wider economy in Pembrokeshire," he said.

As well as the numerous retail opportunities, Clr. Wynne Evans, of Narberth Chamber of Commerce, believes that Bluestone will also "bring benefits to activity, attraction and accommodation providers in Pembrokeshire, offering, as it does, the chance to create all year-round tourism business and attract a new and high-spending type of visitor currently not visiting Pembrokeshire."

"Bluestone will need a great variety of retail and holiday experiences to cater to different visitors and tastes and we welcome this project that offers so much to Pembrokeshire and its indigenous businesses."

The Bluestone planning application has already received unanimous approval by Pembrokeshire County Council, and the Welsh Assembly Government has confirmed that Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has the authority to do the same.

If it gets the go-ahead, the development will create more than 600 jobs, inject £32m per year back into the Pembrokeshire economy and create a host of year-round knock-on effects through partnerships with existing tourism operators and the supply chain.

It will also provide two major wet-weather facilities for the people of Pembrokeshire and create quality further education provision for students who currently have to leave the county to train and get jobs.