DEMOLITION works for a multi-million-pound scheme to redevelop a derelict Pembrokeshire motel, described as “one of the last true blots on our county’s landscape” have started.

In an application approved by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s May development management committee, Nick Neumann of Newgale Holidays was granted permission to redevelop the former Roch Gate Motel to a mixed commercial and community use hub called ‘The Gate,’ including a village shop/post office, bistro/restaurant, and a tourism development of 18 holiday lodges.

The vacant derelict former motel – dubbed an “eyesore” in previous applications – closed back in 2008 and has a history of later approved planning schemes, including as a bespoke hotel and an affordable housing scheme, but none came to fruition.

Speaking at the May meeting, applicant Nick Neumann, who has become a county councillor since the scheme was first mooted, said: “The former Rochgate Motel located at the gateway to the St Davids Peninsula on the A487 is somewhat famous for the wrong reasons as it remains one of the last true blots on our county’s landscape. Namely the ‘pink palace’ has remained dormant for nearly 20 years slowly deteriorating in condition whilst various proposals have come forward and never materialised.

“The site, originally a former World War 2 radar station which became a commercial premises including motel, restaurant, spa and events facility in the early 1960s, was a much-loved popular venue for nearly 50 years before closing its doors in 2008.

“Today we still receive comments from people who loved the motel back in the day.”

He added: “The proposal will bring a significant multi-million-pound investment into the community, create 18 FTE jobs, restore lost community provisions, and will see the revitalisation of the brownfield site with a new exciting provision to our growing community of Roch.”

Other speakers at the meeting raised their support for the proposals, with former community council chair, and chair of the Nolton and Roch community Land Trust, David Smith saying the scheme would “significantly enhance the convenience and wellbeing of local residents,” as well as creating jobs and would “replace a decaying eyesore that is a blight on the community”.

Current community council chair Michael Harries said the community has been “tarnished by a pink monstrosity eyesore” since the motel closed in 2008.

Speaking as the demolition got underway, Cllr Neumann said: “I’m just happy that we can finally make a start on the project and bring the vision for ‘The Gate’ to life. It’s been nearly three years since we bought the site so it’s great to be finally making a start. Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far.”

TOURISM leaders have urged Wales not to follow Scotland’s lead by replicating a “failed” licensing scheme that has “harmed” the industry and created a “thriving black market”.

Last week, the Welsh Government unveiled a tourism bill in the Senedd which, if passed, will create a mandatory licensing scheme for short-term Airbnb-style rentals.

But industry representatives gave a damning account of a similar policy in Scotland, describing the experience since its introduction in 2022 as a “real horror story”.

Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, warned the policy has created “far greater harm than good” as he gave evidence in the Senedd.

He told the economy committee: “When policy is developed without a clear objective and without reliable data, it fails, and Scotland… is that case study.”

Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, pointed to two successful judicial reviews brought against Edinburgh Council. She warned the entire Scottish scheme is “in breach” of the Human Rights Act.

She said: “I would just urge the Welsh Government and policy makers to really take heed of these warnings… don’t do it as Scotland has done it – or you may well end up in court.”

Ms Campbell argued that rather than solving housing problems, the policy was “harming the wrong people and regulating the wrong thing”.

Calling for extreme caution, she criticised the Welsh Government’s projected £75 annual fee for the new licence, labelling it “entirely uncredible” based on Scotland’s experience.

Ms Campbell – who has run a self-catering property for 23 years – told Senedd Members while low fees were promised in Scotland, the reality is they range from £205 to £5,698.

She also dismissed assurances that artificial intelligence and automation would keep administrative costs down as “entirely unrealistic”. “Unless Wales has come up with amazing AI that I’m not aware of, I just don’t think it’s credible,” she said.

She argued the Scottish policy was flawed from the outset because it wrongly tried to solve a housing crisis by regulating tourism, similar to the rationale in Wales.

Ms Campbell warned of the impact on small operators, with 70% of the Scottish self-catering sector made up of women aged over 55 – a figure she wagered was similar in Wales.

“These are the people you’re harming,” she said.

She told the committee the “horror story” in Scotland has seen operators “leaving in droves”.

Mr Crothall added this has led to empty homes, pointing to 230 properties on the Isle of Skye that “remain purely second homes” after their owners opted not to apply for a licence.

Both witnesses stressed they were not against regulation but they argued a separate licensing scheme was disproportionate.

Ms Campbell said the industry supports a national register that includes mandatory health and safety checks but she questioned the need for a second, more costly licensing layer.

“My question is: why do you need licensing on top?” she asked the committee. “If I were a policy maker in Wales, I would wait until I had all the data… it feels premature.”

Giving evidence during an earlier session on November 5, finance secretary Mark Drakeford defended the tourism bill as “good for the industry”. The former First Minister argued the bill would create a level-playing field and reassure visitors.

Prof Drakeford said Wales had learned from Scotland’s “locally based scheme” – which he said had caused confusion – by opting for a simpler, national model.

Union accuses company of ‘refusing to pay monies owed’ – First Cymru says negotiations are ongoing

INDUSTRIAL tensions at First Cymru have intensified as hundreds of bus drivers across South and West Wales prepare for an extended period of strike action in a long-running dispute over pay.

The walkout, due to begin on November 20 and continue until January 21, will affect depots in Swansea, Port Talbot, Bridgend, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford, covering much of the company’s network across the region.

The union Unite says its members are “furious” that the company has refused to backdate pay from the annual pay review and has instead offered what the union called a “£50 bung payment” to encourage drivers to cross picket lines.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “First Cymru is trying to take industrial relations back to the dark ages with its refusal to pay monies owed, attempts at union-busting to get staff to cross picket lines, and all the while paying some of the lowest wages in the industry.
Unite never stands for such behaviour. First needs to think again about how it is treating its workforce.”

According to Unite, First Cymru currently pays £13.40 an hour, compared with £15 at Cardiff Bus, £15 at Arriva North Wales, £14.44 at Stagecoach, and £14.50 at Newport Transport. The union says the company may soon be the only major operator still applying a lower “new starter rate” for the first year of service.

Unite regional officer Alan McCarthy added: “Driving a bus is a highly skilled job, yet First Cymru drivers are treated like second-class citizens. They’ve reached the end of their tether and are struggling to make ends meet. Unite will be backing them every step of the way.”

The union says drivers are seeking a “reasonable” rise that reflects the cost of living and inflation.

Company response

In response to the ongoing dispute, First Cymru said it remains committed to reaching a resolution and has made what it described as a “fair and sustainable” pay offer in line with other transport operators.

A company spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Unite has chosen to escalate strike action rather than continue meaningful discussions. We value our drivers and are keen to reach an agreement that recognises their hard work while ensuring the long-term viability of our services for passengers and communities across South and West Wales.”

Background

First Cymru is part of the First Group, which reported profits exceeding £200 million last year, with its chief executive receiving more than £3 million in pay and bonuses. The company operates bus services across South and West Wales, including key routes connecting Swansea, Carmarthen, and Haverfordwest.

Previous industrial action earlier this year caused widespread disruption across the region, with some routes reduced or cancelled entirely.

The latest announcement marks a significant escalation in what has become one of the longest-running industrial disputes in Wales’ transport sector this year.