Improvement works to make Tenby harbour sluice more 'user-friendly' have been given the thumbs up by town councillors.

At a remote meeting of Tenby Town Council on Tuesday night, members discussing an application from Pembrokeshire County Council for the replacement of stop logs with sluice control at the harbour, recommended approval of the plans, stating that they will ‘protect and enhance’ the harbour area, as well as sustaining harbour activities; improve the amenity of the harbour, and sustain local employment opportunities.

The application will now be determined by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee.

PCC have stated on the plans: “Over the years the uses of the sluice have changed and is currently practically inaccessible. The sluice’s 5m entrance has also taken on difference forms since the 17th century however at present the entrance is based on a form of gate constructed from timber stop logs (baulks).

“The stop logs are packed out on spacers so that they do not seal and water levels within the sluice vary with the tide. In order for members of the public to have full access of the harbour a hinged lift bridge is currently in place above the sluice entrance providing a pedestrian route around the sluice.

“This proposal is to replace the sluice entrance stop logs with a gate which can be opened easily ‘on demand’. This metal gate would perform exactly the same role as the current stop logs.

“However, by installing either hydraulically operated or a winch and cables system, the sluice could be accessed with ease on each tide. Based on the dimension of the sluice opening, the key dimensions for the gate will be 5m wide x 4m high. The vertical gate would have hinges at the bottom to allow the gate to be lowered to a horizontal position in the sluice basin.

“When lifted to a vertical position, the gate would rest against seals and be locked into position. The lower solid section would have watertight seals, but the seals adjacent to the slatted gate panel would not need to be watertight, but would need to be robust.

“The locking mechanism would need to make sure that the gate doesn’t move under wave action.”

The application goes onto explain that a replacement reinforced concrete (for durability) sill will replace the existing sill which will be approx. 5.2m width x 1.5m depth x 1.2m height; while landing pads for the gate will also be required and are estimated to be around 1.5m square and founded on rock, around 1m below the top of the pad level.

The work will see winches sited on the footpath surface, sited in amongst an area which is quite cluttered with street furniture, the lift bridge and the bridge operating panel.

The winches would be contained within a metal box when not in use to prevent tampering and for weatherproofing. There is a possibility that the contractor will need to remove part of the low parapet wall to make space for the winch

The latches will need to be recessed into both sides of the sluice opening and will be somewhat hidden under the lift bridge.

The work will involve creating an opening of about 1.5m high by 0.5m wide each side, by removal of masonry. The opening will be made good with concrete onto which the latches will sit.

It is noted that the masonry in this area has a concrete render and therefore from a visual side of things will not look too dissimilar. The cable roller – will be a steel pulley wheel mounted onto the masonry, located in the sluice opening.

It was revealed last year that the Authority will receive £128,000 to carry out improvements to the sluice, after Deputy minister for culture, sport and tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas’ announcement that the Welsh Government would grant the funding for the facility as part of a £2.2 million outlay that has been earmarked for 23 projects across Wales, to improve the visitor experience and develop ‘high quality destinations’.

The proposals are seen to be a way to extend the operating season and create a year-round harbour excursion offer, as currently boats are effectively trapped in the sluice for the winter but with these plans, in the future they should be able to enter and leave as and when they wish.

Tenby Civic Society’s planning committee have also welcomed the application, stating: “The proposal and principle of protecting boats in the sluice during wild weather is welcome, as are the main design features.

“This will give the sluice a new value and contribute to the working life of the harbour - an important policy area for Tenby in Local Development Plan, and retain popular activities like crabbing in the sluice.

“It will also avoid the intrusion of former ideas such as a car park deck which would change the appearance and character of the harbour.

“The proposal will place equipment within the bulk of the existing sluice structure so result in minor additions to its outer appearance, retain foot access and lifting for the footbridge.