IC Wales reports on the legal challenge that might kill off the Welsh Bluestone indoor slope project in Pembrokeshire. Most of the argument seems to centre around environmental issues and the use of National Park land. The report reads:

THE future of the £60m Bluestone holiday village project in West Wales will be decided at a High Court hearing later this month.

Despite the plan having planning consent from both Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, environmental umbrella organisation, the Council for National Parks, has mounted a legal challenge to the development.

Leave has been granted for a judicial review against Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and a High Court hearing is scheduled to be held in Swansea from November 23-25.

The charitable trust body, of which Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority is a member, believes the Bluestone scheme breaks precedent, as it will be partially sited on national park land.

However, Bluestone argues that there are examples of similar developments in other UK national parks, including a holiday village at Longleat.

After a protracted scrutiny, the park authority gave its consent to the project back in January - the local authority had given its support in the summer of 2003.

The project, which straddles land under the planning jurisdiction of both bodies, is being spearheaded by local entrepreneur William McNamara.

Bluestone promises to create 500 permanent jobs and will feature 340 timber lodges, a waterworld and snowdome.

Yesterday it was confirmed that Bluestone has signed up to the Green Dragon environmental management standard.

The leisure development at Narberth aims to achieve internationally recognised environmental accreditation through the standard, which has been developed by Wales' environmental consultants Arena Network.

Arena Network business environment adviser for Pembrokeshire, Paul Owen, said, "This is an indication of the very real commitment that Bluestone has to environmental issues and is a great boost to the Green Dragon standard, which aims to certify over 100 companies throughout Pembrokeshire within the next two years.

"It is a clear statement by the Bluestone developers about their commitment to the environment and wider sustainability issues," he added.

"Coupled with an undertaking to encourage green practices throughout its extensive supply and partnership chain, this will hopefully attract even more companies in Pembrokeshire to sign up."

The standard is a five-step approach to achieving a world-class environmental management system.

It establishes a formal system that ensures companies have annually updated environmental policies and that they comply with relevant environmental legislation.

Companies also have to demonstrate anti-pollution measures and commit to continuous environmental improvement.

Bluestone chief executive Mr McNamara said, "Bluestone is a holiday experience close to nature and this drives the need to develop a facility that benefits its environment.

"Sustainability and environ- mental empathy have been central to the Bluestone philosophy from the early design stages through to completion of the environmental impact assessment, our own environmental policy and the management plan.

"We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and signing up for the Green Dragon standard is the next step in demonstrating this commitment."