Tenby town councillors have been given an update of exciting projects for the town this week. John Turbervill, projects officer with Pembrokeshire County Council met with them on Tuesday evening to discuss various developments that have been outlined for the town. Talking about the schemes for Butts Field and land in front of the multi-storey car park, which had previously earmarked for development, Mr. Turbervill was keen to emphasise that both areas were key to highlighting visitors first impressions of the town. The Butts Field site has been earmarked for a scheme that will include a housing development, along with car parking facilities, while the mutli- storey scheme has a similiar approach, but incorporating a retail aspect as well. Meanwhile, Mr. Turbervill explained that Pembrokeshire County Council, together with Welsh Assembly Government financial support, was about to send out tender details to consultant engineers/ architects for a design and feasibility exercise to provide a low water landing stage. The brief also included the provision of a future link to St. Catherine's Island which would have to relate functionally and in appearance with any landing stage. The design work would take at least 18 months and there would local consultation at an early stage. The island's owners were co-operating and were partners to this part of the study. "This link is seen as the key first stage to any use of the Island," said Mr. Turbervill. "The purpose of the study is to identify whether the link can be achieved and how much it will cost to achieve. Once the county council knows that, it can work with the owner to identify particular opportunities for the reuse of the fort." He also referred to the county council and Assembly Government's continuing partnership and how it was funding works to the town's gardens, most recently at The Esplanade, with Castle Hill and Croft Gardens anticipated to continue this year. Last year, also saw progress in refurbishing a number of the historic harbour stores and for the future, it was intended to complete a project to relay the mooring chains in the harbour and provide additional moorings in the bay for visiting craft. There are also plans to undertake improvements to the former MOD building on the harbour pier to house a yacht station and new harbourmasters office. "It's nice to get an insight into what maybe in the pipeline for the town and hopefully the town council can help in anyway and also be kept up-to- date on consultations and developments," said the Mayor, Clr. John Griffiths.
