St Catherine’s Island.
PICTURE: Gareth Davies Photography.
The owners of Tenby1‘s St Catherine’s Island are working to open it up to the public again. The historic island and fort had become one of Pembrokeshire’s most popular tourist attractions under its operation by the Tenby Island Project. But the “uncertain future” its operators forecast led to its closure at the end of August.
The island had welcomed thousands of visitors since November 2013, and planning permission was eventually obtained for further development which would enhance its tourism appeal.
The island and fort is owned by a family trust, whose spokesman said in a statement this week that they “acknowledge and fully appreciate the level of support for the island and fort’s well-being, and have taken action to appoint appropriately-qualified staff to manage its security, maintenance and future use.”
He added: “The short-term aim will be to achieve a self-financed position of management which will work towards re-opening the island to the general public.
“Income raised will be attributed to the care, upkeep and maintenance of the island and fort – a position not easily achieved, given its limited tidal access and the inherent restrictions of a national monument, Grade II Listed building and a place of Special Scientific Interest located within a Marine Protection Zone.
“We thank all those who have and continue to support the island and fort as we look towards a positive future.”
Speaking to the Western Telegraph, the trust’s spokesman said: “We don’t want to see the good work that has been done by the Tenby Island Project being compromised, and we want to be able to re-open the island to the public.
“To this end, we will be submitting an application for planning permission to enable us to complete some of the work that has been carried out.”
*See the island’s new Facebook page @StCatherine’sIsland