Plans to convert one of Tenby's former prime pubs into flats have been welcomed by members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's development management committee.

Proposals submitted by Mike Evans to convert the first and second floors of The Sun Inn, in High Street, into three flats were approved at the authority's meeting on Wednesday.

The planning officer's report stated that the proposal to bring the Sun Inn back into use with a mix of commercial and residential use, to feature two one bedroomed flats and one two bedroomed maisonette, with basement for storage uses plus associated internal and external alterations, was supported given its prime location within the centre of Tenby.

The Sun Inn has been used as a pub and restaurant in the past, but over recent years the restaurant side of the business has closed down and there have been a number of attempts to run the business as a pub only which have been unsuccessful and as a result the building has fallen into an untidy and deteriorating condition bearing ugly marks, unsympathetic additions, external wing, pipework and surface fixed display lighting.

The proposals show that there is little alteration proposed to the facades of the building, apart from upgrade of windows to make them more in keeping, and the insertion of some new windows and doors.

The agent, on behalf of the applicant, had also stated that that there would be a commitment to pay the appropriate commuted sum in accordance with affordable housing supplementary planning guidance.

Speaking on the plans, development management committee member David Ellis said: "This is welcome news, the building is one of the gems in Tenby and I'd be delighted to support the application subject to the elements and conditions proposed."

Members voted unanimously in favour of the project.