The developers behind a scheme to turn Tenby’s St Catherine’s Island into a visitor attraction have stated that factors outside of their control led to them taking the difficult decision to hand back the application and let it expire.

Pete Prosser who along with his team have been behind the Tenby Island Project since 2012, saw a planning application for a change of use to a visitor attraction, including the provision of new buildings to provide supporting facilities/services, and the improvement of access to and on the island, granted approval by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, in July of last year, subject to some 16 planning conditions, 14 of which were disputed by the developers.

However, the developers recently confirmed that they had pulled out of the scheme to re-establish the island and fort which sits alongside Castle Beach as a visitor attraction, as the project faced an uncertain future.

The family trust who own St Catherine’s Island have vowed to continue to keep the landmark open to the general public.

“Closing is the last thing we wanted to do and it has been difficult to say the least,” commented Mr. Prosser in a statement released this week, stating that he would like to put a few rumours to rest.

“We haven’t stopped because of Cadw. For our part Cadw, the authority on scheduled ancient monuments, have from the beginning been supportive and helpful at all times. They have been a pleasure to work with.

“Pembrokeshire County Council, Tenby Town Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Planning have been difficult.

“Our battles have been well publicised but we haven’t stopped because of the National Park and Planning.

“Due to other factors outside of our control we have taken the hard decision to hand back the application and let it expire. It is the case that as of September 13 the planning application that took six years to complete becomes completely void.

“This unfortunately leaves the island in a position where it cannot be used for any purpose until a new application is agreed. If it was to be used, it would be subject to planning enforcement as spelt out by the planning inspector. As you can see we have had no choice but to close due to the application becoming void.,” he continued.

Mr. Prosser said that the plan wasn’t to stop but in the midst of all the hard work, the team have been faced with increasing risks and Health and Safety concerns.

“These risks have now become so significant that there is currently no foreseeable way forward for the project while we are in leasehold terms,” he remarked.

“That said, if we could ever find a way, we are all agreed that we would love to finish what we started.”

Mr. Prosser referenced the recent articles in the press about the island potentially reopening and was keen to see how these proposals develop.

“We suspect that no experts have yet been employed to assess the rapidly deteriorating situation and the issues at hand,” he said.

“It is very disappointing but we wouldn’t expect to see the island open for number of years now due to the work required and the planning to be gained.

For anyone with a serious interest in developing the property we have ten years of historical research some of which we will be sharing here in the next months. We also have a comprehensive understanding of the property and its issues not to mention extraordinarily detailed plans.

“With the huge investment we have made into the property we will be happy to help serious parties with progressing any future plans please feel free to get in touch,” added Mr. Prosser.

Commenting on the statement, the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Laurence Blackhall said that Tenby Town Council had always broadly supported the idea of developing St. Catherine’s as a family friendly visitor attraction.

“We are disappointed that Tenby Island Project felt the Town Council was being difficult but planning is, quite rightly, a rigorous process and all plans need careful consideration,” he remarked.

“Nevertheless from Tenby Island Project’s statement it would appear that the issues that led to the closure are beyond either the Town Council’s control or influence.

“Naturally the council is disappointed that the island has closed but we are fortunate in Tenby to have many fabulous family visitor attractions.

“The Town Council would also welcome discussions with the Island’s owners on their plans to once again open the fort to the public,” added Clr. Blackhall.