Members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's development management committee believe it is essential they are given the opportunity to carry out a site visit at one of Pembrokeshire's most prominent landmarks, to properly determine whether an application to turn the site in Tenby into a new visitor attraction should be approved.

The application, submitted by Mr. Peter Prosser, of the Tenby Island Project, for a change of use of the fort at St. Catherine's Island at Tenby's Castle Beach, to a visitor attraction, was discussed at a meeting of the committee in Pembroke Dock on Monday.

Planning officers indicated that members would not be able to undertake a full site meeting and enter the island itself, due to health and safety issues, but a visit to inspect the island from the mainland was being recommended.

Officers also said that a 10-minute video on the proposals was being prepared by the applicant, for committee members to view.

Clr. Michael Williams argued that a full site meeting on the island was essential for such an important application.

"This is a major, major application that will have a huge impact on the area, and if we don't do our job properly, and carry out a full site visit on the island, then we could be open to a challenge on this," he remarked.

"Viewing a video is not adequate, and we will not get a proper perspective from the land or say Castle Hill.

"There is a high degree of public and local interest in this application and this committee is duty bound to go onto the island.

"Without a proper site visit, I wouldn't be happy in determining this application," added Clr. Williams, with his colleague, Clr Bob Kilmister, agreeing, stating that he didn't think that viewing the site from afar would be sufficient to determine the outcome of the application.

The application seeks full planning permission for a number of works on the island, to allow it to be used as a visitor attraction, providing exhibition and storage space, food and drink, and retail uses.

The island and fort's last use was as a zoo from 1968 to 1979, but since that time it has been vacant and is in a deteriorating condition.

The application does not include a bridge linking the island to the mainland in its current form.

Committee vice-chairman, Clr. Rob Lewis, suggested that officers might be able to go back to the applicant to enquire if a site visit could be achieved for members.

The authority's director of park direction and planning, Jane Gibson, said that the size of the group that would wish to undertake the site visit, was what seemed to be causing concern for the applicant, but that they had indicated it might be achievable to get groups of six or less onto the island at a time.

Mrs. Gwyneth Hayward, committee's chairman, said that it might be wise to defer a decision on the site visit until it had been investigated that health and safety requirements could be met for members to enter the island, but recommended to provisionally pencil in a possible site meeting for June 3, which members unanimously agreed to.