Ambitious plans to build a multi-million pound holiday village at Canaston Bridge, near Narberth, were given the final seal of approval this week - despite a last minute threat of legal action.

After the controversial Bluestone project was initially approved by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority back in December, an obligatory 'cooling off' period took place as the proposed scheme was considered to be a major departure from Park policy.

The decision also had to be notified to the Welsh Assembly Government, who have the power to 'call in' such applications and hold a public inquiry.

With that not having happened, the cooling off period ended on Wednesday morning when members of the authority's development control committee met again and rubber-stamped their original decision, with a vote of seven to three in favour of the £60m scheme being granted planning permission, subject to conditions.

However, during the meeting, Park watchdog, the Council for National Parks, who still recommend refusal of the project, suggested that several members of Pembrokeshire County Council, who also sit on the Park committee, should have declared an interest and not voted on the matter.

Part of the scheme falls within the council's jurisdiction, with permission having already been granted by them for a waterworld and snow centre adjacent to the holiday village.

But Clr. John Allen-Mirehouse, deputy leader of the county council, responded by stating: "I have sought every advice possible on whether I should be allowed to vote on this before coming to the decision that I have no declarable interest in the matter."

Development control officer Cathy Milner was still firmly against the go-ahead for the project and expressed major concerns about the repercussions the decision might have.

"This will have a huge impact on the environment and a precedent will be set on National Parks all over the United Kingdom," she claimed. "Once a development like this is granted, others will soon follow and officers have already begun to receive enquiries."

With permission having been granted, work may now start within months on the project which was first unveiled in June 2002 and which it is hoped will create a 'leading UK short-break destination'.

Located in two valleys, meadowland and woodland between Minwear and Canaston Woods, the scheme features 340 timber lodges, a health spa, shops, restaurant, and sports club, as well as the already approved sub-tropical waterworld and state-of-the art snowdome.

Developers claim the project will create more than 600 fulltime jobs and plough £32m a year back into the Pembrokeshire economy

"People in the area need a decent standard of living all year round and this development would help towards that; they cannot afford to live on the view," remarked Clr. Allen-Mirehouse.

Bluestone chief executive Mr. William McNamara was delighted that real progress was now being made.

"Although the process in getting this far has been a long one, I'm glad that everything has been followed to the letter and that all the relevant authorities have finally come to a decision in approving this project," he said. "I'm sure that the process will have been beneficial to everyone involved."