Plans to build a new pier and pontoon at Tenby Harbour, which conservation officers have warned would have a major impact on the character of the area, were labelled "utter lunacy" by members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's development management committee this week.

The application submitted by Pembrokeshire County Council seeking approval to construct a pedestrian pier, bridge and tidal pontoon off the north side of the outer pier, to provide improved access for fishing/day-trip boat users and visiting yachts, came before members of the development management committee at their meeting in Pembroke Dock on Wednesday.

Head of development at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Vicky Hurst, told members that there was a range of concerns regarding the impact that the plans would have on what represented one of the most iconic views in Tenby.

"The proposed scheme is considered to be unacceptable in terms of the impact on the setting of the listed pier and adjoining listed buildings, the impact on the character and amenity of the conservation area and have adverse impact on the privacy and amenity of adjacent residential dwellings within the harbour," said Ms Hurst.

The authority's conservation officer also stated in a report that the proposed structure, at some 75 metres long, would be large and intrusive within a relatively confined area, while little justification had been provided for the proposal and insufficient assessment had been made of more sensitive options.

The officer also recommended refusal as the proposal would add visual clutter to the scene at the harbour, especially when viewed from the Norton-Northcliffe area, and from Castle Hill

Members were also told that Tenby Civic Society were objecting to the proposals, along with 11 other organisations, although Tenby Town Council had given their backing to the application.

Private developer and businessman Tim O'Donovan, who was responsible for converting Tenby's old lifeboat station into a unique seaside home back in 2011, addressed the committee to oppose the application, labelling the plans as "completely insane".

"I'm so angry about it, I can't believe that anyone would put that plan forward," he said.

"Waves hit that area frequently and the structure could easily be swept away, the pontoon won't provide anything, it will only be a target for bad weather.

"My fear is that I might wake up one morning and find a pontoon in my bed! I've seen some daft ideas in my time, but this takes the biscuit," added Mr. O'Donovan.

Pembrokeshire County Council's head of regeneration, Martin White, defended the project at the meeting, saying that it would bring economic benefits to harbour traders during the summer months, and improve access for visiting boats and yachts.

"Thirteen businesses operate from Tenby Harbour and this would present those operators with more time to trade, as the low water affects times that they can operate," he explained.

"The proposal is designed to be as sympathetic as possible, and during the winter the pontoon will be removed and stored," he continued, explaining that identical structures operated in places such as Dale, Neyland and Hobbs Point had all been a success.

Mr. White added that the Visit Wales funding for the project targeted improving visitor experience, and the funding would be lost to the county if the application was not approved.

Development management committee member David Ellis felt it was an "ill thought out scheme" that "beggars belief" and that the most depressing point, was that a county council regeneration officer thinks it would be OK to destroy and damage one of the great views of Pembrokeshire.

Fellow member, Clr. Michael Williams, who could speak on the proposal but not vote on it, as he owned a mooring in Tenby Harbour, echoed these views.

"It's utter lunacy and one of the most inept and cack-handed applications I've seen in my life," he said, criticising elements of the scheme that would remove structures that were in place to prevent flooding to properties, which had occurred frequently in the past.

"This is a core conservation area in Tenby and we would be sticking an absolute eyesore in the middle of it, if this plan was allowed to go through," continued Clr. Williams.

"I'm appalled that this application was done by a professional officer of the county council, and what annoys me more is that as one of the county councillors for Tenby, who owns a mooring there, I was not consulted in any way or form about this proposal.

"Tenby needs something to help with access at the harbour, but this is certainly not the answer," he added, urging members of the committee to reject the plans.

When put to the vote, 16 members went along with the officers' recommendation to refuse the application.