Business
Milford Haven dry dock pitched as home for giant £480m superyacht yard
Port says dock is being actively marketed as company unveils vast shed plan that could transform town skyline and create up to 3,000 jobs
A HUGE plan to turn Milford Haven’s dry dock into the heart of a £480 million superyacht construction and refit yard has been unveiled, in what could become one of the most dramatic development proposals ever put forward for the town.
Renderings released alongside the announcement show a colossal enclosed build hall covering the existing dry dock and dominating the waterfront skyline. Based on the images, the proposed structure appears likely to be nearly as long as some of the German submarine pens built on the French Atlantic coast during the war.

The scheme has been put forward by Superyacht Sales UK, which says it is in early-stage discussions with Milford Haven Port Authority over the possible use of the Port’s 180-metre dry dock as part of a long-term vision for a major new marine engineering hub in Pembrokeshire.
The company says the wider project could eventually support up to 3,000 skilled jobs and generate around £150 million a year in social value, while helping establish Milford Haven as a centre for superyacht refit, construction and green marine technology.

Port’s response cautious
Despite the eye-catching scale of the proposal, the Port has given only a limited response.

In a statement to The Herald, a spokesperson for Milford Haven Port Authority said: “The dry dock is commercially available for rent and is being actively marketed. We have responded to various organisations that have shown an interest. We are unable to comment further due to commercial sensitivities.”
That response makes clear the dry dock is being marketed commercially and that Superyacht Sales UK is not the only organisation to have shown interest.
The release issued by Superyacht Sales UK says the company is also exploring the possible development of a custom new-build shipyard on the site of the former Royal Naval Armaments Depot on the edge of Milford Haven. However, it acknowledges that no contact has yet been made with the current landowners and that the entire proposal remains at concept and feasibility stage.
Kerry Ballard, founder of Superyacht Sales UK, described the plans as a long-term ambition and said discussions with the Port were exploratory.
She said: “This is a long-term vision, and we are at a very early stage. Our discussions with Milford Haven Port Authority are exploratory, focused on understanding what may be possible in respect of the existing dry dock facilities.
“Milford Haven presents a compelling opportunity. The combination of deep-water access, industrial heritage, and alignment with the Celtic Freeport strategy, particularly around hydrogen and green energy, creates a highly attractive proposition for a next-generation shipyard.”
She added that any development of this scale would need to be shaped in partnership with the local community, stakeholders and education providers.
Questions over scale
There is no doubt the vision is bold. If built in anything like the form shown in the released images, the structure would completely alter the appearance of the docks and create a huge new industrial landmark visible across much of the town.
Rather than sitting beside the dry dock, the proposed shed appears designed to swallow it almost whole, enclosing the dock within a giant shell intended for superyacht construction and refit work under cover.
The sheer scale of the concept is likely to prompt both excitement and scepticism locally.
Supporters will point to Milford Haven’s deep-water access, industrial heritage, marine infrastructure and long association with heavy engineering and energy industries. In theory, those strengths could make it a credible location for specialist shipyard activity if sufficient private investment and commercial demand existed.
The company says the international market for superyachts over 30 metres is growing, with existing European yards facing capacity constraints. Its pitch is that West Wales could capture part of that market while also linking the development to future propulsion systems, including hybrid, battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vessels.
The proposal also includes talk of partnerships with colleges and universities to create training pathways in advanced composites, precision engineering and sustainable marine technologies.
Speculative at this stage
For Milford Haven, the attraction is obvious. A project on this scale would not just mean another industrial tenant taking over an existing dock facility. It would represent a major shift in ambition for the waterfront and could, if realised, bring a new type of high-value engineering work into Pembrokeshire.
But serious questions remain.
No planning application has been submitted. No formal development agreement has been announced. The Port has not indicated support for any specific proposal. At this stage, there is no public evidence of secured funding for a project on anything like the scale being discussed.
There are also likely to be wider questions about land control, infrastructure demands, environmental considerations, traffic, visual impact and whether local people would genuinely benefit from the promised jobs and training.
For now, the proposal remains an ambitious vision rather than a confirmed development.
If the idea progresses, it could mark the start the biggest waterfront development discussions the town has seen in years.
Business
Tudor Glen Caravan Park Pembrokeshire planning call
A CALL for a Pembrokeshire caravan site to be allowed static caravans in lieu of touring ones, which the applicant says was allowed back in 1988, has been submitted to the national park.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Keith Stevens of Tudor Glen Caravan Park, Jameston, through agent Lambe Planning & Design Ltd, seeks a certificate of lawfulness of an existing use of the site to establish the status of a 1988 planning permission.
Essentially what that means is the applicant is seeking confirmation of details of that permission as to whether it includes static or touring caravans.
A supporting statement says: “Tudor Glen Caravan Park is a long-established family owned and operated Holiday Park. The Park extends to approximately six acres and caters for families within static caravans, touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.
“The Park is exceptionally well run and achieved the 2025 runner up award for Best Family Campsite South Wales. The Park has a range of modern purpose-built facilities including a heated swimming pool, laundrette, dedicated play area, games room and full amenity facilities.”
Covering the 1988 approval of removing two previous conditions connected to the site, granting permission for up to 50 caravans and occupancy of March 1 to January 9, it says: “It does not stipulate that the caravans must be removed from the site during the ‘close period’ as would be the case if the consent related to touring caravans,” adding: “It is therefore clear that the intentions of that planning application and the consent granted relates to the siting of up to 50 caravans and not specifically touring caravans.
“If that consent were to be partially restricted to touring, a touring condition would have been imposed and / or a condition requiring that the caravans must be removed from the site during a close period – it doesn’t.”
It concludes: “Whilst the park has been operated on the basis of providing both Static Caravan and Touring Caravan Pitches, [the 1988] Planning Approval clearly gives permission for any type of caravan which complies with the Legal Definition of a Caravan.
“That permission does not restrict the type of unit to either static or touring caravans and does not restrict the layout of the holiday park it is therefore concluded that [the 1988 permission] allows for the siting of any unit which complies with the legal definition of a caravan, and does not restrict the layout or location of the units.
“The applicant therefore seeks confirmation from the LPA to that effect via this Certificate of Lawful (proposed) Use application.”
The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.
Business
Pembrokeshire Lydstep Beach Village development refused
A CALL for an extra sign advertising a Pembrokeshire holiday park, adding to exiting unauthorised ones, which planners say would create “visual clutter and intrusion” and a distraction to drivers, has been refused.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, permission was sought, through Lakeside Signs Limited, for an additional sign advertising Haven’s Lydstep Beach Village, near Tenby, the sign proposed for North Lodge where the holiday park joins the main road.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s highways authority raised no concerns regarding the specific location of the sign, but said “there remains a broader concern regarding the cumulative impact of signage along this section of highway,” adding: “The increasing proliferation of signs in this location has the potential to create a visually cluttered environment, which may distract drivers and, in turn, give rise to road safety implications.”
A Park officer report recommending refusal said: “Currently, there are eight flagpoles, one A-frame banner type sign, one pole mounted panel sign, and a further panel sign, located behind the stone wall on the western side of the park’s entrance. None of these advertisements have the benefit of advertisement consent.”
It added: “The increasing number of signs in this location has the potential to create a distraction to drivers, which may result in road safety implications. In addition, the proliferation of signage would create clutter that would result in visual intrusion in this countryside location affecting amenity. As such, the recommendation is to refuse.”
It went on to say: “Whilst it is not deemed that the proposed advertisement would result in harm being caused to the specific special qualities of this area, there are concerns that the display of this advertisement would, along with the remainder of the advertisements, which are unauthorised, result in a proliferation of advertisements, which in turn would cause visual clutter and intrusion.
“This is especially problematic in a countryside location where development is strictly controlled. Should the existing signage be consolidated and rationalised, the Authority may support the proposed sign, however, currently, any additional signage would not be deemed appropriate.”
The application was refused on the grounds that it would, along with the exiting signage, “result in visual clutter and intrusion which would detract from the visual amenity of this countryside location, and would result in potential distraction to drivers, which in turn would rise to road safety implications”.
Business
The Cheesecake Guy store could be coming to Saundersfoot
SAUNDERSFOOT’S Coal Building interpretation centre could soon host the third store for Welsh cheesecake business The Cheesecake Guy Ltd, in plans before the national park.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Craig Taylor of Merthyr Tydfil-based The Cheesecake Guy Ltd seeks a change of use of part of Saundersfoot’s Cambrian Terrace Coal Building interpretation centre to create a small retail unit.
On its website, The Cheesecake Guy says of its business and products: “Established in 2019, The Cheesecake Guy is all about delivering indulgent, handcrafted cheesecake desserts with a twist. While we offer a range of sweet treats, our specialty — and customer favourite — is the signature cheesecake jar.
“Made with quality ingredients and packed with rich, creamy layers, our jars are the perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with others, The Cheesecake Guy brings a spoonful of happiness to every bite.”
While no supporting statement has yet been published for the Saundersfoot proposal, the application says the scheme would employ two full-time members of staff, operating 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, and 10-5 on Sundays and bank holidays.
It says the proposed site is currently a mixed-use retail and gift shop, having previously been used as office space.
It adds: “This is a space within a building that is still trading, the space we are wanting a change of use was last used by Persimmon Homes as an office space.”
Of the scheme itself it says it will involve “retail sales of pre-prepared desserts and merchandise,” adding there will be “no on-site manufacturing or heavy processing,” with “equipment limited to display fridges and freezers”.
If approved, the Saundersfoot site would be the third outlet for The Cheesecake Guy, with sites in Merthyr, and, more recently, Newport Market.
After that store opened following redevelopment of Newport’s Victorian market, Craig Taylor, of The Cheesecake Guy, said: “We are very excited to be part of the new development in Newport Market alongside some other amazing small businesses.
“We feel this is definitely the next step in the right direction after our Merthyr Tydfil store taking off so well.”
For its Newport site, The Cheesecake Guy says: “We specialise in creating a wide variety of cheesecake desserts that cater to all tastes. Our menu features popular favourites that have won the hearts of many, alongside exciting new creations designed to keep your taste buds satisfied.
“Whether you’re a classic cheesecake lover or an adventurous foodie, we promise a cheesecake experience like no other. Each cheesecake is made with the utmost care, ensuring a rich, creamy texture and a burst of flavour in every slice (or jar!).”
The Saundersfoot proposal will be considered by park planners at a later date.
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