The Secretary of State for Wales has welcomed news that the £60m Bluestone holiday village development is set to bring major gains to Pembrokeshire.

On a tour of the Bluestone holiday village site on Friday, Peter Hain hailed the decision to approve the development, saying: "This is a fantastic project which will be a major boost to tourism in West Wales.

"I have backed the Bluestone project since the beginning because of the very great vision of William McNamara and his team. It has been through a tortuous planning process but now, the decision has been made. Now is the time to put the wrangling behind us, pull together and give the project our full support. Within a few months, people will begin to see that what we have here is a world class facility that everyone can be proud of and that is environmentally sensitive, has met all the environmental requirements and, in my view, will upgrade the Pembrokeshire countryside rather than degrade it.

"I am confident that the Bluestone Project will be an outstanding success, providing guests with first-class, healthy holidays in beautiful countryside."

During the visit, Bluestone chief executive William McNamara outlined details of an environmental management plan currently being drawn up to revitalise the ecological fortunes of the area. The proposals aim to transform the previously intensively-farmed site into a biodiversity beauty spot.

He said: "Bluestone envisions a high quality short break destination that enables visitors to be at one with nature. The surrounding countryside is, quite literally, at the heart of that experience. This dependence will drive the need to conserve and enhance the whole area.

"Bluestone's mission statement includes the promotion of sustainable enjoyment and public understanding of the special qualities of Pembrokeshire's natural environment and the creation of opportunities to conserve and enhance the landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage of the surrounding countryside. To achieve this, Bluestone's design philosophy will take advantage of every opportunity to enrich the site ecology and increase the biodiversity of both habitats and species."

"I am in no doubt that the Bluestone development will greatly enrich the ecological value of the site which currently comprises 90 per cent intensively managed farmland surrounded by poor diversity coniferous woodland."

As well as the environmental gain, Bluestone will create a host of economic benefits including 600 full-time jobs, a £32 million boost to the economy every year and two high quality indoor leisure facilities open to the local tourism providers year round plus knock-on benefits through partnerships with existing businesses, leisure and training providers and the local farming industry through Biomass and Agri-Food initiatives.

The development, a joint venture between J. William McNamara and Alfred McAlpine Plc., has the full support of Team Wales, a collaborative approach by the Welsh Assembly Government, the Welsh Development Agency, Wales Tourist Board and Finance Wales, who have approved £16.5m in grant aid.

Once completed, Bluestone will feature 340 luxury log cabins with views amongst the Pembrokeshire woodlands, private lakes and views towards the beautiful Preseli Mountains. The centrepiece will be a Pembrokeshire village incorporating a luxury health spa, restaurants, village pub and quality retail showcasing the best arts, crafts, foods and drinks within Pembrokeshire and Wales. Facilities will include a sports club, a subtropical waterworld with indoor and outdoor flumes and a state-of-the-art snow centre complete with skiing, snow boarding and ice-skating.