Campaigners urged support for the project

Lawyers for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said its members did not have all the information they needed to make an environmental impact assessment of the proposed scheme.

The legal representatives of the developers behind the project argued the planning committee had all the details it required.

But members decided to defer the meeting to avoid the possibility of a later legal challenge, and the earliest the plans are now likely to be considered is 19 November.

If you were to grant permission for this development today, there is no doubt in our minds an alarming precedent would be set Ruth Chambers

Pembrokeshire South AM Christine Gwyther said: "I'm very, very disappointed that this application has been deferred.

"To defer the application on these grounds is an absolute disgrace."

The meeting at Narberth had been packed as committee members heard from more than 30 people on either side of the debate.

William McNamara, the man behind the proposed development - to create a holiday village with an all-weather sub-tropical water attraction on a 460-acre site at Canaston Bridge near Narberth - was the first speaker.

William McNamara said he is "frustrated" at the meeting being deferred

He said:� Bluestone has overwhelming business and public support. We must not waste this opportunity.

"Pembrokeshire is a county with an awful lot to offer. If we could provide a holiday village experience we can create a new market that is not on offer anywhere else in the UK."

He was angry that the park authority did not come to a decision on Monday.

He said: "I'm just extremely disappointed. We have come a very long way to get this far and to have a legal challenge at 11am this morning on procedure leaves me feeling very frustrated. "

"I'm very down and disappointed."

Those in favour of the proposed development include the National Farmers' Union, Narberth and other local chambers of trade, union officials, and Pembrokeshire College.

Backers' warning

But a spokeswoman for the National Parks Association had advised the park authority against setting an "alarming precedent" by backing the scheme.

Ruth Chambers, representing the association, said Monday's decision could have national implications.

"This is a matter that in my view strikes at the very heart of national parks. If you were to grant permission for this development today, there is no doubt in our minds an alarming precedent would be set."

Some existing tourism operators also spoke against the proposal.

Tourism operator Tim Arthur said: "This will result in the eventual closure of some small businesses."

Pembrokeshire County Council has already granted outline planning for the scheme.

The park authority had previously deferred its decision because it needed more time to gather information about the project.

But in July, the scheme's backers warned they could pull out because of mounting costs if a decision was not taken soon.

The issue at stake is that the log cabins making up part of the accommodation fall within the park's boundaries, and there has been concern about both the location and the style of the buildings.