Two ambitious projects for South Pembrokeshire's coastline have been unveiled this week.

The Coastal Tourism Centre of Excellence in Pembrokeshire, announced by the WAG Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, on Monday, encompasses a range of projects from a consortium of organisations led by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Included in the proposals are a low water landing stage for Tenby and a visitor centre and new car park at Coppet Hall, Saundersfoot.

Pembrokeshire's schemes are among four projects in a £17.5m Welsh Assembly Government initiative to improve visitors' experience of Wales' unique coastline.

The Tenby project element will see the construction of a new low water landing stage at Castle Beach.

Explained a spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council: "The existing facility is at the end of its useful life, is quite unsightly and greatly detracts from the quality evident in Tenby's built and natural environment.

"The proposed new facility will comprise a fixed lift and stairs to a pivoted bridge structure leading to floating pontoons.

"The fixed structure will be sited on Castle Hill, from which visitors using the inclined elevator would enter and exit.

"Other visitors could use walkways to the northern and southern sides of Castle Hill.

"The bridge structure would be some 60 metres long and lead to a pontoon landing stage for four boats.

"This would become the main landing stage for boat trips to Caldey Island, and could also accommodate other trips, for instance sea angling, wildlife watching or charter trips to places further afield."

Meanwhile, at Coppet Hall, with the Hean Castle Estate, the intention is to demolish the existing toilets and to upgrade and re-surface the car park, incorporating some light landscaping and seafront disabled parking.

A new multi-functional two-storey building will be constructed to provide exhibition space. Public conveniences to replace those demolished will also be present within the building.

The building will also house facilities such as a restaurant and tourist-related retail outlets. These outlets would only sell or rent beach paraphernalia rather than be for general retail use.

As Pembrokeshire's coastal environment is precious, the project partners will be liaising closely with stakeholders, including planning authorities, the Countryside Council for Wales and other bodies to ensure that the details of the proposals are acceptable before any physical work commences.

Other projects include low water landing stages for Angle and Dale (with Milford Haven Port Authority) and enhancements for Solva and Porthgain (with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority).

Total cost of the proposals is £4,042,500. The contribution from the European Regional Development Fund is £1,909,500. Match-funding will be provided by the partners.

It is anticipated that 10 jobs will be created directly, but that indirect job creation as a result of increased visitor spend will be significant.

Speaking at the announcement on Monday, Pembrokeshire County Council's cabinet member for leisure and tourism, Clr. Rob Lewis, said it came as no surprise to him that Pembrokeshire is a Centre of Excellence for coastal tourism.

"It is extremely gratifying that the Minister has now made our status official," he said.

"Of course, Pembrokeshire has been recognised as a premier destination for visitors over very many years, so we are delighted to have been awarded this Centre of Excellence and the funding that will allow us to develop our tourism offer.

"We look forward to working with our partners, the Milford Haven Port Authority, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and the Hean Castle Estate to deliver the various elements involved."

He continued: "The Centre of Excellence involves a complex array of inter-linked projects that together will enhance the visitor experience that Pembrokeshire will be able to offer.

"This will include more and better opportunities to access the water at locations such as Angle, Dale and Tenby through the provision of low water landing stages and related facilities.

"Porthgain and Solva - two of our picturesque coastal villages in the National Park will be enhanced - while the Hean Castle Estate will develop visitor facilities at Coppet Hall near Saundersfoot."

And Clr. Lewis added: "This investment of £2 million from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government - and the same amount from Pembrokeshire County Council and its partners - will help Pembrokeshire meet and exceed the expectations of our many visitors.

"It is also the intention that local people will benefit in recognition of the longstanding community support for the tourism industry.

"So, on behalf of the county council and our partners, I'd like to thank the Welsh Assembly Government and Visit Wales once again for supporting Pembrokeshire's tourism industry in this way."