Business

Fresh plans for £2m holiday pods at Pembrokeshire deer park

Published

2 years ago

November 26, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for £2m plans for wheelchair accessible holiday lodges at the site of a Pembrokeshire deer park attraction have been resubmitted after they were previously withdrawn on the eve of a meeting recommending they be refused.

In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr and Mrs Evans seek permission for 15 lodges at Great Wedlock, Gumfreston, near Tenby, the site of a 176-acre deer farm attraction, opened last year, and a recently-granted market traders’ barn.

An earlier application was recommended for refusal by officers at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, but, at the start of that meeting, members heard the application had been withdrawn at the agent’s behest.

Reasons for refusal given to members included it was outside of an identified settlement boundary in a countryside location, it was considered to have an adverse impact on visual amenity and did not include a Green Infrastructure statement.

In a supporting statement, the applicants had said: “Over the last 48 years, my wife and I have developed holiday parks firstly in Pembrokeshire and then throughout the UK. We decided to return to Pembrokeshire where it all started for us in 1976, to develop the deer park and are now looking to develop the wheelchair accessible lodge development, to support our business and for the benefit of Pembrokeshire and its economy.

“In 2020 we bought Great Wedlock Farm and set about applying for planning permission to open the farm to the public to provide a new tourism destination and allow visitors to re-connect with the countryside and natural beauty Pembrokeshire has to offer. The deer were purchased from Woburn Abbey and some from the late Queen’s estate (to ensure the highest quality of deer breeding stock). We opened the deer park in May 2023 with a great emphasis on catering for disabled persons and the elderly.”

They have previously said build costs to complete the development would be circa £2m.

St Florence Community Council did not support the previous application, saying there was no evidence of need for the accommodation, raising concerns about the impact on exiting holiday accommodation, and the design which it says should consider all disability groups not just those in a wheelchair.

Following the withdrawal, amended proposals have now been submitted by the applicants through agent Atriarc Planning, following a consultation recently held with St Florence Community Council.

A supporting statement by the agent says: “Following the meeting, the plans have been revised to create a less linear arrangement with further landscaping provided on site. The new lodge arrangement has been revised to create a less structured environment whilst also providing for a higher degree of natural landscaping.

“A new ‘Pembrokeshire’ hedgerow (circa 222m) is now provided along the site boundary to the west and minor infill hedge to the south. Along with the proposed planting, the placement of the units also creates a site layout, which would limit further access to the wider lands under the applicant’s ownership (therefore constraining any future extension of the site, to seek to allay the community council’s primary concern of further development on site).”

It says the amended plans were re-presented to the Community Council in October, and it “noted to the applicant it was now in a position to support the proposed development”.

The amended application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Business

Llangwm brewery closes after entering liquidation

Published

5 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SMALL Pembrokeshire brewing company has been formally wound up after its owners concluded the business could no longer continue.

Black Tar Brewing Co Ltd, which was registered in Llangwm, entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation following a meeting of company members on February 27, 2026.

The meeting was held at the Swansea offices of Stones & Co Insolvency Practitioners, where Gareth Stones was appointed to oversee the closure.

The company’s registered address was at Gail Rise in Llangwm, near Haverfordwest, and official records listed its activities as beer manufacturing.

No public details have yet been released about the size of the business, the value of its assets or the amount owed to creditors.

As liquidator, Mr Stones will now take control of the company’s affairs, identify any remaining assets and determine whether funds are available for those owed money.

Creditors are expected to receive further information as the process develops.

The liquidation was initiated by the company rather than through a court order, meaning its members voted to bring trading to an end and place its finances in the hands of an insolvency practitioner.

A public notice connected to the closure directs creditors and other interested parties to Stones & Co for further information.

The winding-up brings an end to the Llangwm-registered brewery, although the company’s recent level of trading and the number of people connected to the business remain unclear.

Business

AIDAsol cruise ship makes second visit to Fishguard

Published

10 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE GERMAN cruise ship AIDAsol returned to Fishguard today, bringing hundreds of passengers to north Pembrokeshire.

The large vessel was clearly visible from homes overlooking Fishguard Bay after arriving for what is understood to be her second visit to the town.

Passengers were expected to travel ashore by tender before exploring Fishguard, Goodwick and tourist destinations across Pembrokeshire.

Cruise ship visits provide a welcome boost for local shops, cafés, transport providers and visitor attractions, with organised excursions often taking passengers to locations including St Davids and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

AIDAsol is operated by German cruise company AIDA Cruises and is instantly recognisable because of the distinctive eye and red lips painted across her bow.

The ship measures more than 250 metres in length and can accommodate more than 2,000 passengers, as well as hundreds of crew members.

Her arrival attracted attention from residents, with the impressive vessel photographed from several vantage points around Fishguard and Goodwick.

The visit comes during the busy summer tourism season and offers businesses another opportunity to showcase the area to overseas visitors.

AIDAsol was due to remain off the coast while passengers enjoyed their time in Pembrokeshire before continuing to the next destination on her itinerary.

Impressive arrival: AIDAsol pictured in Fishguard Bay today (Pic: Herald reader)

Business

Port of Milford Haven named among UK’s best workplaces for women

Published

11 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Recognition secured for second consecutive year as women now hold 42% of management roles at the Port

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has been named among the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women for the second year running.

The organisation has been placed within the top 100 large employers on the 2026 list, compiled by workplace culture body Great Place To Work UK.

The recognition is based largely on feedback from female employees, who highlighted flexible working, access to time off, employee benefits and the Port’s approach to safety and sustainability.

The Port said its position on the national list had improved by 45 per cent compared with last year.

One employee said: “The flexibility I’m given and the freedom to bring my own ideas make me feel valued and trusted.

“Being part of the Port is something I’m genuinely proud of, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead to grow and build my career here.”

Another praised the organisation’s support for work-life balance and mental health.

Women currently make up 31 per cent of the Port’s overall workforce and 42 per cent of employees in management positions.

The Port said this compared favourably with the wider ports sector, where women account for an average of 19 per cent of the workforce and 23 per cent of managerial roles.

HR director Vidette Swales said the organisation was proud to have retained the recognition.

She said: “We are incredibly proud to be a workplace where women can thrive, develop their careers and bring their whole selves to work.

“Creating an inclusive culture is not just the right thing to do. It strengthens our organisation by ensuring diverse perspectives are heard, valued and reflected in everything we do.

“We are committed to providing opportunities for growth, supporting work-life balance and fostering an environment where women feel empowered to succeed at every stage of their careers.”

Port employees are also involved in Pembrokeshire’s SPARC initiative, which was established in 2023 to introduce secondary school pupils to career opportunities in industries where women have traditionally been underrepresented.

Its activities focus particularly on careers within the maritime and energy sectors.

Ms Swales added: “Our staff are proud to be involved in the SPARC initiative, engaging with girls in secondary schools through a range of activities and raising awareness of the opportunities available.”

Benedict Gautrey, managing director of Great Place To Work UK, said the organisations included on the list were making a difference to employees’ everyday working lives.

He said: “What matters most is that this recognition comes directly from women working in these organisations, who tell us they feel supported, valued and able to grow.

“Congratulations to the Port of Milford Haven for creating an environment where inclusion is clearly felt in practice.”

The Port retained its Great Place to Work accreditation for a third consecutive year at the end of 2025.

Photo caption: Female employees from across the Port of Milford Haven celebrate the organisation’s inclusion among the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women for a second year.