Last month, ambitious and exciting initial ideas for regeneration in Saundersfoot were unveiled in a public exhibition.

Now, land and business owners have joined together with the local community, local authorities and tourism trade in a newly-formed Saundersfoot Bay Steering Group to develop these and other ideas and turn them into reality.

Chairman of the group, Clr. Phil Baker, said: "The group's ambition is to include every member of the communities of Saundersfoot, Wiseman's Bridge, Stepaside and Amroth in this.

"The first exhibition told us that there was a lot of support out there for the proposals. Most people agreed something needed to happen to improve the village. Many people felt, however, that they had seen plans before, but nothing seemed to change.

"The key point about this new group is that it does involve so many local people who all recognise that things are most likely to change if the community, including the local business interest, decides to take charge themselves and not just leave it to outsiders or the public authorities to lead.

"That is what is different about this new grouping, they have the commitment and skills to help the village, but above all, are determined to involve all sections of the community."

Clr. Baker continued: "One way of doing this could be the involvement of The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, and we are in discussion with them about an exercise called Enquiry by Design (EbD), in which every single view counts.

"They believe that building in a more sustainable way will reap benefits for communities, and we are excited at the prospect of working with them.

"We hope to be able to begin this over the summer. People value this area for its friendly, small - scale village atmosphere, and we don't want to spoil this, but we do want to see how we can work together to create a year - round extra - special destination for visitors, and an even better place for our residents to live in."

Among the regeneration proposals from consultants Powell Dobson Urbanists were a public space for commercial and community activities, new mixed use retail and commercial property development, better management of car parking, and beach facilities.

The aim is to tackle the areas of Saundersfoot which currently let it down, and build on the assets of Saundersfoot Bay and its communities for the long-term benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.

Martin Sullivan, partner at Powell Dobson Urbanists, said: "As well as catering for its traditional clientele, it needs to consider newer markets that can extend its season. This means looking to raise the quality of its services and attractions, building on its heritage and embracing its natural environment, its maritime associations and looking to exploit its seafood gastronomy and its events programme - broadening its appeal and its visitor season at one and the same time."

Martin said he was particularly pleased because the process of doing the study and the ideas put forward seemed to have galvanised most of the key players in the village into recognising that by working together, they would make a real difference to improving the village - and it was that commitment and enthusiasm, and their own investment that would make things happen.