SAUNDERSFOOT Harbour’s ambitious regeneration programme has been loaned a whopping £1.25 million from Pembrokeshire County Council.

Cabinet voted unanimously on Monday (February 9) to approve the loan for phase three of the project which is centred on the former coal office building (more recently known as the Barbeque building) which the community and the National Park both wish to retain.

It will involve refurbishing the council-owned coal office as a visitor centre and cafe, commercial units, a roofed over village square and self-catering visitor accommodation.

The council currently owns the Barbeque building, together with adjacent gardens and two kiosk units, while Saundersfoot’s Harbour Commission owns the adjacent car park.

The council will decide on the fixed rate of interest on the loan, which will be repaid by the Harbour Commissioners over a 15 year period.

A report to cabinet by the council’s director of development, Steven Jones, and chief finance officer, Jon Haswell, said that profit and loss cashflow provided by the commissioners indicated that there would be sufficient funds to repay the loan.

However, the report said that the costs for phase three had not factored in how much the harbour commission would need to pay for the council-owned buildings that negotiations would be entered into to agree an appropriate sum. After that a further loan from the council might be required.

“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to show our commitment to the tourist industry of Pembrokeshire,” said Keith Lewis, cabinet member for communities and the voluntary sector.

“To not be a part of this development would not put the authority in good light. It’s good to see this coming before us, we should support it.”

Leader Jamie Adams agreed: “It’s an exciting scheme and a great opportunity for tourism in Pembrokeshire.”

Cabinet members unanimously approved the loan which will be negotiated by the chief finance officer and director of development.

They also agreed that the council should enter into negotiations to dispose of its interest in the coal office and adjacent land.

*As the Western Telegraph recently reported, work is underway on the first phase of the Saundersfoot harbour regeneration scheme.

Once the entire project - costing £4m - is completed, the aim is that the village will be 'the marine gateway to Wales.