Exciting plans are in the pipeline for Coppet Hall, near Saundersfoot.

At their development management committee meeting on Wednesday, members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority voted to support a major redevelopment of the car park and facilities at the beachside location.

The application, submitted by The Hean Castle Estate, incorporates the demolition of the existing Coppet Hall Hotel and public conveniences. It includes the development of a new multi-functional building that will contain a restaurant, leisure related retail and activity space in addition to new public conveniences, which will be complemented by the provision of family changing spaces and external beach showers.

The development has been carefully designed to allow visitors to enjoy the views from the panoramic windows of the new restaurant stretching across Carmarthen Bay, whilst not compromising its setting in the wooded landscape surrounding Coppet Hall or its Blue Flag beach.

The building will host a number of environmentally friendly features, including solar panels, air source heat pumps and a sedum roof, which will all contribute to its BREEAM 'Excellent' rating, the highest level of environmental rating for new buildings.

The car park is to be extensively remodelled to include significant areas of landscaping, together with many pedestrian and family friendly features and the enhancement of the existing excellent footpath and cycle route links. In addition, a new storage area is being created for small sailing craft, to complement those facilities already available at Saundersfoot.

The scheme, which has been designed by Acanthus Holden Architects of Pembroke, is part of Visit Wales' Coastal Tourism Project, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, to encourage tourism along the Welsh coastline.

Speaking after the planning decision had been announced, Mr. David Lewis, the estate mnager, said: "We are delighted that after several years of careful design, planning and negotiation, we are now able to finally progress this landmark scheme. The project is a major investment by The Hean Castle Estate to make Coppet Hall a leading family beach destination both from within the county of Pembrokeshire and further afield.

"I would like to pay tribute to the team at Acanthus Holden Architects who have worked tirelessly to create a proposal with the highest environmental credentials that sits very comfortably within the unique landscape we are privileged to enjoy in this corner of the National Park."

He continued: "We have received support from many people in getting the project to this stage. I would particularly like to thank County Councillor Phil Baker who has given great support to the scheme, along with members of Saundersfoot Community Council, The Saundersfoot Bay Development Trust, and the European Contracts team at Pembrokeshire County Council under the head of regeneration, Martin White."

Work to transform the car park will be starting very soon in order for it to be reopened in the Spring, whilst construction of the Visitor Centre will begin after Christmas and take approximately eight months.