Business
Chinese company buys Ironman for £430m


Ironman: Winners celebrate at the 2015 Ironman Wales event held in Tenby
CHINESE company Dalian Wanda Group, headed by China’s richest man, has bought the company that runs a popular triathlon event in Tenby, which is said to be worth over £4m to the Pembrokeshire economy, for $650m.
The purchase is part of a diversification that the property developer said may involve another sports purchase by year-end. It is predicted that the seller, Providence, will make a four times return on its original Ironman investment.
The purchase is Wanda’s latest sporting acquisition after Swiss marketer Infront Sports & Media and a stake in Spanish football giants Atletico Madrid, as the group counters a slowdown in its domestic property market with a move into entertainment.
Wanda, parent of Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties Co, China’s biggest commercial real estate developer, aims for revenue of $100 billion by 2020 from $40 billion in 2014. Ironman will bring in $183 million this year, following four years’ compound growth of 21%, Providence said.
Ironman comprises a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run, completed in under 17 hours. Wanda plans to hold as many as three races in China next year and increase Chinese participants to 200,000 over the next decade from 100.
The 2015 acquisition of Ironman, Infront Sports & Media and a stake in Atletico Madrid has made Wanda Group one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive sports companies. With these new businesses, Wanda Group now has sports sales, media & marketing, and operational capabilities on six continents with strong positions in North America, Europe, China, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
“The acquisition of IRONMAN by Wanda Group is a momentous step for the future of our brand,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer for IRONMAN. “As a globally minded company with a mutual desire for excellence and expansion, especially in Asia, Wanda is the ideal partner. I’m privileged to remain at the helm of this extraordinary organization as we embark on this new chapter in our history. Thank you to Providence Equity Partners for seven outstanding years of ownership.”
In the 2015 Ironman Wales, American Jesse Thomas earned an Ironman title in his first attempt at the distance, while German Anja Baranek—who came into the event fresh from finishing third at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships—dominated the women’s race from start to finish to claim the women’s title.
Business
Major housing development plans submitted for Broad Haven

PLANS for a development of 76 homes in a Pembrokeshire seaside village have formally been submitted to the national park.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Millbay Homes, through agent Asbri Planning, seeks permission for the development of 76 homes and associated works on land East of Marine Parade, Broad Haven, near Haverfordwest.
The proposal seeks to build 10 one-bed properties; 20 two-bed, 32 three-bed, 10 four-bed, and four five-bed properties, with Millbay Homes have been liaising with the authority`s housing department about the requirement for affordable housing at the site, the authority favouring a rate of some 34 per cent affordable.
The site itself is allocated for up to 87 residential dwellings.
The applicants say the scheme will “lead to the creation of a high-quality and attractive place to live and will contribute to creating a distinct sense of place”.
A supporting statement adds: “Rather than imposing a rigid, flat layout, the homes are arranged to follow the natural contours of the land, stepping up and down in response to the site’s slopes.
“This approach minimizes the need for extensive excavation and preserves much of the natural landscape. It also ensures that each home has a unique relationship with its surroundings, with most properties benefiting from stunning sea views due to their elevated positions.
“By embracing the site’s topography, the development not only minimises its environmental impact but also creates a visually appealing and varied streetscape that feels integrated into the natural landscape rather than imposed upon it.”

The scheme has been subject to revisions following discussions with planners, moving from an initial increase from 62 to 77 homes, now dropped to 76 to provide an ‘informal open space’ “designed to meet the planners’ request and to offer a communal area where residents can enjoy outdoor activities and relaxation in a natural setting”.
The formal pre-application consultation ran up to late January of this year.
The statement stresses: “The proposed residential housing scheme represents a carefully considered response to the village’s architectural heritage, challenging topography, and coastal environment.
“Through a thoughtful, collaborative design process, incorporating comments and feedback from the planning officers and public, the development will create a vibrant, sustainable community that offers diverse housing options, maximises sea views, and integrates seamlessly with its surroundings.”
The application concludes: “The ambition for the site is to create a contemporary development of liveable, affordable homes within Broad Haven which takes advantage of the site’s seaside location, in accordance with the council’s housing allocation within the Local Development Plan.
“In light of the above, it is concluded that the proposal fully accords with both national and local policies and there are no material considerations which should prevent the planning application from being determined in accordance with the relevant planning policy framework.”
The application will be considered by national park planners at a later date.
Business
Help to Buy Wales extended – new homes in Haverfordwest available through scheme

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has extended the Help to Buy – Wales scheme until September 2026, offering new opportunities for buyers to secure a property at the Augustus Grange development in Haverfordwest with financial assistance.
The scheme enables eligible buyers to purchase a new-build home valued up to £300,000 with just a five per cent deposit. The remaining amount is covered by a 75 per cent mortgage and a 20 per cent shared equity loan, which is interest-free for the first five years.
Five-star housebuilder Lovell Homes, which is delivering the development in partnership with Pobl Group, is encouraging potential buyers to explore the scheme’s benefits. Located off St David’s Road, Augustus Grange comprises 115 two and three-bedroom homes and lies just six miles from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Unlike some support schemes, Help to Buy – Wales is open not only to first-time buyers but also to existing homeowners looking to move.
A number of three-bedroom properties are currently available at the site, including the popular Lambourne and Lansdown designs.
Suzie Hewitt, regional sales director at Lovell Homes, said: “Help to Buy – Wales is a brilliant initiative and we’re delighted that it has been extended to 2026. For many, buying a home is the biggest financial step they’ll take, and this scheme makes that step more accessible.
“We’re offering a range of high-quality homes under £300,000 at Augustus Grange – perfect for first-time buyers, growing families, and those looking to rightsize. We encourage anyone interested to contact our sales team.”
Haverfordwest, the historic county town of Pembrokeshire, offers a mix of heritage and modern amenities. With its 12th-century castle, riverside walks along the Western Cleddau, a selection of shops and restaurants, and good transport links, it’s an attractive location for both families and commuters.
The Augustus Grange marketing suite is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm. For further information, visit newhomes.lovell.co.uk/developments/augustus-grange-haverfordwest or call 01437 468024.
Terms and conditions apply. Full details on the Help to Buy – Wales scheme can be found at lovell.co.uk/offers/help-to-buy-wales.
Lovell Homes recently received a Gold award for customer service from In-house Research, with 93.6 per cent of South Wales and West customers saying they would recommend the company to friends and family.
Follow Lovell Homes:
- Facebook: facebook.com/lovellhomes
- Instagram: @lovell_homes
- LinkedIn: @LovellPartnershipsLtd
Business
Big changes made to major Cosheston solar farm development

AMENDMENTS to a previously granted scheme for a south Pembrokeshire solar farm by using higher specification panels which would actually see less land covered have been approved by county planners.
Last year, plans for a nine-megawatt solar farm at West Farm, Cosheston, near Pembroke Dock by James Wallwork of One Planet Developments Limited were approved by Pembrokeshire County Council.
The applicants said the scheme would generate enough power for 2,500 homes.
The scheme was initially recommended for refusal before a later recommendation for approval at last March’s planning committee; the scheme supported by Cosheston Community Council, which said the plans would be a natural rounding-off of the site, with no detrimental impact as it would neighbour the existing solar farm.
A supporting statement, through agent Mango Planning & Development Ltd, said: “The proposed development would contribute circa 9,337,000 KWh of renewable electricity to the local area, which will typically produce enough green electricity a year to power about 2,500 homes.
“The proposed development is for a temporary 40-year timescale and will be fully reinstated at the end of its operational life. There will be no loss of agricultural land.”
After last year’s approval, the applicants had asked for a change of planning conditions.
A supporting statement accompanying the amendment request says: “Subsequent to the grant of consent, the applicant has been advised that the solar panels originally proposed are no longer available. It is necessary, therefore, to substitute these with an alternative type.”
It says the proposed alternative panels would be slightly larger in size but “as a consequence of the improved specification of the proposed panels, a reduced site coverage is required to achieve the originally agreed output,” adding: “In particular, it is not now necessary to provide arrays in the small field at the east of the application site.”
The proposed amendments have been approved by planning officers.
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