MILFORD Haven town council has backed the Port of Milford Haven’s multi-million pound masterplan, despite concerns over its impact on local heritage and town centre trade.

At a meeting of full council on Monday, councillors agreed to write to the county council, ‘emphasising their overwhelming support for the plans’.

But the letter will include concerns over the Port’s plans to demolish the Grade II-listed Old Docks building to create a new entrance to the site, and proposals to create a multiplex cinema.

In July, town councillors supported a letter of objection from the Torch Theatre, outlining concerns that the masterplan would have “serious implication for the Torch and the important role it plays in the community”.

The letter went on to say that engagement with the Port has not produced evidence to support the need for another cinema, and “does not appear to engage in any way with the regeneration of the town and could in fact be argued s turning its back on the local community”.

Cllr John Cole said at the time that the Port’s plans were “pie in the sky”, but if they were to go ahead could seriously jeopardise the Torch’s future.

The Port’s masterplan is due to go before county council planners on December 16.