Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's planning service has shown significant improvements in the past year, according to Welsh Assembly Government Minister Jane Davidson on a visit to the authority earlier this week.

Authority members welcomed the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing as part of a visit to congratulate them and officers for their sustained efforts during the past year to improve the planning service.

Speaking at a meeting of the authority, the Minister said: "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to come today and highlight the positive steps the authority has taken in the past year in respect of its planning service.

"Good progress has been made in several areas, with over 70 per cent of new planning cases now being determined within an eight-week period compared to 56 per cent two years ago. The backlog of cases has also significantly reduced, now standing at 47 compared to 150 in early 2009.

"I would like to underline the Welsh Assembly Government's appreciation for the work carried out by staff to make the improvements possible and I'm confident in discussions with the authority that you will continue to make progress.

"Thanks to efforts over the past year, the authority is very much now seen as an exemplar of good planning practice on the planning application process.

"I remain a strong supporter of National Park Authorities and see them as essential to protecting our Welsh landscapes and demonstrating sustainable development in action on the ground."

Thanking the Minister for her commitment and time, the authority's chairman, Richard Howells, said: "Officers have worked extremely hard to attain the standards set last year and we are exceedingly grateful to the Minister and Assembly officials for their continued support and advice."

The 12-month planning improvement programme followed on from a 2009 Wales Audit Office report reviewing the planning functions across all three Welsh National Park Authorities.