An appeal from the developers behind a project to turn St. Catherine's Island in Tenby, which has remained shut since 1978, into a visitor attraction, is to be heard by the planning inspectorate next month.

An application from the developers of the Tenby Island Project, to turn the landmark on the resort's Castle Beach, into a new visitor attraction, which proposes a change of use of the fort, and internal and external changes to the Grade 2 listed building, was refused by members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's development management committee last July.

The plans that were turned down, proposed exhibition and storage space, food and drink, and retail uses, and various other installations on the island, such as two boat landings, a replacement fort entrance bridge, path and operational lighting, solar panels, telescopes, railings and new roof rooms.

In an appeal document submitted to the planning inspectorate, the project's applicant, Mr. Peter Prosser, claims that he has "experienced a peculiar handling" of the application by National Park planning officers, who performed a "complete U turn of thinking" on the proposals.

"We have worked very closely with all the members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and have sought their advice and guidance at every stage," wrote Mr. Prosser.

"Six planning officers have been on site and discussed our proposals at length. On June 4, 2013, case officer Julia Evans spent a couple of hours on site discussing all the different aspects.

"At no time were any problems mentioned and when specifically asked if everything was in order we were told 'Yes'.

"We were given the impression that all the requirements had been met. Five days before the proposed committee meeting we learnt from the newspapers and an email from the case officer that our application was to be recommended for refusal," he continued, stating that he resubmitted the information that the planning report claimed was missing, and also submitted a specific letter from CADW which confirmed that they were not objecting, contrary to the planning report.

"I pointed out the reality of issues such as their misrepresentation of the hotel use and the need for the new fort bridge; also that the cabin design/specifications are drawn directly from the original cabin.

"However, the case officer refused to acknowledge these points and rectify her report," continued Mr. Prosser.

Members of Tenby Town Council were informed at their meeting on Tuesday night, that the provisional date for the appeal to be held at the town's De Valence Pavilion, was Wednesday, February 26.