The applicant behind a project to turn an historical Tenby landmark into a new visitor attraction, has said that he is heavily committed to the project, which he deems would be a real asset to the town.

Mr. Peter Prosser, who is part of the development team behind the 'Tenby Island Project' on St. Catherine's Island and fort on Castle Beach, met with members of Tenby Town Council ahead of their meeting on Tuesday night.

He was there to answer questions on the recent planning application submitted to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and to address some of the concerns that had been raised by local residents in letters to the Observer recently.

Despite welcoming plans to bring the fort and island back into public use, town councillors recently recommended refusal of the application in its current form, stating that there was insufficient detail on the type of visitor attraction proposed to allow them to fully assess the suitability of the site and the impact of such a proposal on this important listed building.

Mr. Prosser has since explained that the type of exhibitions that would be brought to the island would be a mix of historical, nature, interactive interpretation and visual interest, which would feature underwater cameras and microphones, and also high-powered telescopes to enable visitors to take part in 'tours of the heavens'.

"There have been a number of rumours started contrary to what we are doing, but hopefully these fears can be allayed," Mr. Prosser told councillors.

"There is no casino element behind us, it's just me, my wife and my brother. It's my risk and investment, and we've pushed incredibly hard to get to this point.

"We haven't applied for an alcohol licence either; that was just a consideration.

"Other developers are interested and several people have shown an interest before me, but no one has got this far. There is nothing stopping another developer coming along and applying for a casino, nightclub or even putting a zoo back there, but that is not what we're about, we see the island as an asset to Tenby and it's about bringing people into the town," he said, explaining that he had sent personal letters to residents in the area who had expressed concerns about the project, and invited them to meet with him personally.

"We are doing everything we can to accommodate the views of the locals, and some people would rather see no change, but the island is well on the way to ruin and being run into the ground, which would not be good for Tenby," continued Mr. Prosser.

"This is a great opportunity to extend the tourist season and bring people in to the town out of season."

Mr. Prosser told councillors that they had made the planning consent as broad as possible, as elements of the exhibition might need to be altered from time to time, to maintain an interest for visitors.

He also said that it was a possibility that an educational element could be introduced where schools and colleges could undertake projects at the facility.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall queried as to why there had been no bridge design featured within the planning application, which the developer had previously discussed with councillors.

Mr. Prosser explained that the bridge development would form a separate planning application.

"It has taken a year to get the application to this point and we'd envisage a similar time frame for the bridge aspect," he commented.

"It is very firmly our view that the project would not be viable without the bridge, as it's the only real way of getting people up there.

"A case for a bridge which went before a planning committee appeal some 10 years ago, has already been fought and won, so it has already been passed in theory, that the concept of a bridge can go there, but obviously our specific design would have to be approved by National Parks, should the development progress," he continued.

The town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, said that the operating times of the project, listed as 8 am to 12 am on the application, had caused concern for residents overlooking the island, as they were worried about late-night activity.

Mr. Prosser said that the operating times had been touted because of the changing tidal window, and that the late hours aspect was to cater for 'star parties' where people would be able to go to the island and view the dark skies from the facility.

"They can look at the cosmos, planets and galaxy through telescopes on the island, and they can't do that in the morning," he explained.

"We're providing another source of interest for the town. Anybody who would come to visit the fort and island has to come through the town, so that would be of fantastic benefit for the businesses of Tenby," added Mr. Prosser.