Local councillors have given the thumbs up to plans for a multi-million pound mixed-use scheme in Tenby which includes the site of the former Royal Gatehouse Hotel which was destroyed in a blaze back in 2008.

At Tuesday night's meeting of Tenby Town Council, members gave their backing to the latest plans submitted by South Terrace Properties Limited for the scheme which comprises seven separate applications.

Giving consideration to the plans as a whole, members recommended approval to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for the scheme, which includes a new hotel on the former Gatehouse site, as well as proposals for adjoining properties at Milford House and Kent House, the Royal Playhouse Cinema and land at Clifton Rock.

Further plans for the redevelopment of the Royal Lion Hotel in White Lion Street and units at the Delphi Apartments in South Parade were also approved by councillors.

"I think the general feeling in Tenby regarding these latest plans is relief that something might finally be achieved," said Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sandra Williams, who chaired the meeting in the Mayor's absence.

Clr. Trevor Hallett said that he would like to see a planning condition added to the applications, that the developers phase the building work, so that the town wouldn't be left with three separate construction sites at the same time.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall believed that the developers should be allowed to carry out the scheme in whatever way was most advantageous for them to make it work.

"Although I have some reservations about minor details of part of the proposals, I'd say the scheme as a whole is acceptable and the design of the new hotel is in keeping with its surroundings," he added.

The plans are now set to be discussed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's development management committee at a meeting later this month.