News that another site has been identified for the development of a new civic amenity and recycling centre for the area has been welcomed by local county councillors.

Members of Pembokeshire County Council's cabinet gave the thumbs up to a proposal at their meeting on Monday to acquire land off Devonshire Drive, near Crane Cross, Saundersfoot, on terms to be determined by the authority's director of development.

The project is part of the South West Wales Materials Efficiency Project which is part funded through the Convergence element of the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, with the acquisition of the land to be supported by the Convergence Programme.

The news will come as a relief to campaigners at Brooklands Nursing Home, near New Hedges, who fought off a proposal to site a new civic amenity facility on land near the home last year, when Pembrokeshire County Council withdrew a planning application for the scheme.

County councillor for Penally, Gumfreston and New Hedges, Clr. Jonathan Preston, who backed the Brooklands campaign, said he was delighted that cabinet members approved the plan to purchase alternative land for the proposed civic amenity site.

"This has been a long and determined challenge to defend the home environment of very dependent adults," he commented.

"From the onset of our opposition to the planning proposal, myself and the campaign group were resolute in our cause.

"All too often the convenience of the many is put before the wellbeing of the few. Brooklands may now continue to provide the specialist care that is so vital to many families in our community," he added.

Saundersfoot county councillor Phil Baker remarked: "This news is a relief to the residents, families and staff at Brooklands Nursing Home, who have all been deeply concerned over the last 18 months that the relocated facility could have been located in the fields adjacent to them.

"I trust that the new plans will prove to be acceptable to all parties, as everybody in the south-east of the county accepted that there is a need for a new facility to assist in the county council's recycling targets," he said.

The county council deputy leader, Clr. Huw George, who is responsible for environmental and regulatory services, said that the authority would have more detailed information regarding "this important development" in the near future.

"The acquisition of land at Crane Cross is a positive step forward in our efforts to locate a Civic Amenity Site in the south-east of the county," he remarked.