Local councillors have stated that there are a number of issues that need to be addressed before they give their backing to planning proposals for a multi-million pound development that incorporates the former Gatehouse Hotel site.

Members of Tenby Town Council recently met with the developers and designers of the scheme at a presentation of the plans, which propose the construction of 39 apartments, a 68-bed hotel and retail development on the site of the former Royal Gatehouse Hotel, and the adjoining properties at Milford House and Kent House, the Royal Playhouse Cinema and land at Clifton Rock, while further proposals include the redevelopment of the Royal Lion Hotel and units at the Delphi Apartments in South Parade that will incorporate an element of affordable housing.

When discussing the applications at their meeting on Tuesday night, members of the town council felt that a number of issues needed to be ironed out before they could recommend approval to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's development management committee.

Clr. Mrs. Sandra Williams said she agreed with the views that the Tenby Conservation Forum had put forward regarding the scheme.

"I strongly support the views of the Conservation Forum, there's so many things not quite right about the scheme yet and too many things that seem to be incorrect for Tenby," she told her colleagues.

The Conservation Forum stated in a draft letter to the National Park Authority that they were encouraged in general terms by the overall scheme, which had much to commend it.

In particular, they supported the creation of a defined 'square' in White Lion Street and felt that the modern design of the buildings behind it, which provided a transition between the Royal Gatehouse replica and the retained Assembly Room frontage, was well conceived.

However, the Forum said they had certain specific concerns over elements of the application that they felt needed to be addressed before it could be approved and described resulting proposals for the Royal Gatehouse Hotel replica as "visually muddled and historically inaccurate," feeling that this aspect needed to be completely right, as the result would be very valuable to the Tenby townscape.

Other issues the Forum had with the plans included concerns over the design of the facade of the proposed Delphi apartments building on the South Parade overlooking the Memorial Garden which they felt did not complement its location.

"In general terms, the whole scheme has much to commend it, but there's a few I's and T's that need to be crossed and dotted before we can recommend approval for the plans," said the Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Julie Evans, who agreed along with her fellow members to fully support the comments of the Tenby Conservation Forum in wishing to see all the concerns listed dealt with before any planning consent is granted.