Developers behind a scheme to turn an historic Tenby landmark into a tourist attraction, have been given a boost this week, with news that planning officers are set to recommend that the proposals are granted permission.

In a planning officer's report which is set to go before members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's development management committee on April 15, it has been recommended that the application to turn St. Catherine's Island into a family visitor attraction be delegated to the Park's chief executive to grant planning permission for the scheme subject to conditions.

The application from Mr. Peter Prosser is a resubmission of a proposal for works comprising the restoration and conversion of the fort, the provision of new buildings to provide supporting facilities/services, and the improvement of access to and on the island, which is located alongside Castle Beach.

The scheme, which was turned down by members of the Park's development management committee back in July, 2013, went before an appeal hearing last August, with planning inspector Robert Gardner (whose recommendations were passed on to Welsh Government Ministers) ultimately dismissing the appeal due to technical issues surrounding the significance of bat survey results that were carried out by the project's applicants.

The inspector, however, considered, in his conclusion of the appeal decision, that the proposed use for the island was acceptable, and that the uncertainty arising from potentially incompatible uses could be resolved by the inclusion of planning conditions.

The re-submitted application is, therefore, as originally presented, with the addition of a new protected species survey.

"There has been no other change in the information submitted in this application, therefore the appeal decision is significant material consideration," says the Park's planning case officer, Caroline Bowen, in her report.

"In light of the inspector's comments and conclusion, the proposal, subject to a detailed scheme of conditions to control the use and details, is considered acceptable,"  she adds.

Despite concerns over the plans from Tenby Town Council, the Lexden Terrace Conservation Group and Tenby Civic Society, the report states that a petition of support comprising 838 signatures was also received by planning officers.

Ms Bowen goes on to explain in her report that whilst the design and access statement submitted by the developers refers to a bridge to the mainland for access purposes, it is clear that the intention is for that element to form a separate planning application from the internal and island works, and as such does not form part of the planning application

"Following considerations of the policies within the Local Development Plan and having regard to all material considerations, including the appeal decision and the inspector's comments and conclusions, the proposal, will add to the tourist offer of Tenby by providing a new visitor attraction," states Ms Bowen, adding that the attraction will provide economic benefit, as well as protect the integrity of the historic fort by providing a new use.