Plans to re-open Tenby’s historic St. Catherine’s Island are set to go before the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority again, after local councillors gave their backing to the project.

An application by Simon Fry, for a change of use to visitor attraction and associated works at the landmark, which is located at the foot of the resort’s Castle Beach, were given the thumbs up by members of Tenby Town Council at their meeting on Tuesday night.

The plans come to the fold, after the developers behind the ‘Tenby Island Project’ pulled out of a scheme last summer to re-establish the island and fort as a visitor attraction.

Speaking of the latest application, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas said: “These plans seem quite calm and pleasant and it would be good for the town,” with her colleague, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, adding that she would love to see the landmark turned into a visitor attraction for Tenby, but would rather avoid going through the ‘rigmarole’ that the previous application caused.

The Mayor, Clr. Laurence Blackhall, said it was his ‘understanding’ that the ‘change of use’ included in the latest plans, was in effect to reverse conditions attached to the application approved for the previous developers.

Addressing councillors at their meeting, John Loring, the island’s manager and caretaker, explained that the application passed for the former developers had now been revoked. This was why the family trust who own St Catherine’s Island had submitted a new set of plans, as it was his understanding that the island did not now have planning permission in any form.

Mr. Loring said that he was part of the previous project from day one, and he felt a duty to stay on to pass on all the valuable history and information that he had learnt about the island since working with the owners.

“We want to keep the island active and open to the public, if possible, and from my experience there, people go to see the island for the quality guides, information and history provided,” he stated.

“I’m glad to see the island is being maintained, as so many people enjoyed going up there when it was open,” remarked Clr. Mrs. Thomas.

The island and fort featured in the season finalé of BBC One’s ‘Sherlock’ on Sunday night, doubling up as a maximum security prison called Sherrinford.

Scenes were shot in and around the island back in June, with a cast of extras as prison guards and actors Ralph Ineson and Richard Crehan as fishermen under the direction of Benjamin Caron.

Helicopter shots were also filmed in Tenby for the episode entitled ‘The Final Problem’, although lead actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman and Andrew Scott, who plays villain Moriaty, filmed their scenes in another location away from Tenby.

“The Sherlock production team were kind, courteous and professional throughout the filming and it was a pleasure to host them on the island,” John Loring told the Observer.

“The resulting final episode promoted the island, Tenby and Pembrokeshire to an audience that may not have seen or heard of Tenby otherwise.

“The link between the island and the series can only be a good thing, simply adding to a long list of historic events that Tenby can be proud of.

“It’s been a good couple of weeks for the island and fort, with positive comments and a great deal of support from all quarters as we continue to work closer to re-opening,” he added.

You can keep up to date with developments at the island by following their new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StCatherinesIsland/

and also their website at http://saintcatherinesisland.co.uk/