Business

Businesses encouraged to talk to Port’s experts

Published

11 years ago

February 10, 2015

BUSINESSES at Milford Dock are benefitting from modernised bespoke premises thanks to a collaborative approach by the Port of Milford Haven’s property division Quayside havenfuel Estates, the Port Authority has said.
The company has worked closely with three businesses in particular over recent months to ensure the buildings they occupied were adapted to meet their specific needs, resulting in considerable commercial success.
Haven Fuels, part of the Certas Energy group; restaurant Halen Mor; and licensed coffee house and restaurant FOAM all required new premises and it was the team at Quayside Estates who set to work assessing their individual requirements and producing solutions for their diverse businesses.
Haven Fuels relocated from a porta cabin that they had worked from for 17 years to The Old Sail Loft – a listed building which demanded careful planning to create a suitable office environment. Dave Tully from Haven Fuels is pleased with their new premises commenting “This building is better for our customers as well as our staff, it’s more spacious and the conditions are far more comfortable to work in”.
Meanwhile at Milford Marina there has been close co-operation between one of Wales’ leading seafood chefs Adam Birch and Quayside Estates which led to the opening of Halen Mor- a hugely successful restaurant.
Estates Manager at the Port Clare Stowell believes food outlets like this are exactly what Milford Haven needs. “This is Wales’ biggest fishing port. One of the aims of our Master Plan is to showcase this fact to the wider public. We really wanted a restaurant capable of showing off the best of what is landed here and that is what Halen Mor is doing and we are proud to be working with them.”
In June, FOAM (Milford Haven) Limited opened its doors in a newly converted space in Barrallier House on the marina. With both the initial and ongoing support of the Quayside Estates team, significant internal and external renovations and improvements were undertaken.
The team at FOAM said “Due to a close and focused working relationship between the FOAM Management and Quayside Estates teams, all was achieved within the project timeline producing a real ‘gem’ for visitors to the marina, with particular attention and praise being commented on internal contemporary decor and the seaward terrace overlooking Milford Beach and the Haven Waterway.”
Estates Director Jeff Teague, who is leading the Milford Dock Master Plan, points to these success stories as proof that collaboration early on between potential customers and the Port can benefit everyone.
“Naturally, we have a wish list of the types of businesses we want to see here,” explains Jeff. “These are ones that complement the exciting plans we have for Milford Dock as laid out in the Master Plan. The marina is full of quality businesses and in time, subject to planning permission, there will be more and more opportunities for a wide range of retail and food outlets to base themselves in a bustling waterside location. We’d encourage anyone interested in joining us to achieve our vision to get in touch.”
The Port of Milford Haven submitted an outline planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council for its £70 million Master Plan in May 2014 and is hopeful that it will be approved at the planning committee meeting next month. The aim is to create additional quality leisure and entertainment attractions for residents and visitors to Pembrokeshire, and to provide first class facilities for the marine-leisure and fishing industries. For more information please contact Jeff Teague on 01646 696100 or email [email protected].

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

8 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

12 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

20 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.