GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY IN THE HEART OF THE NATIONAL PARK

LLANTEGLOS HOLIDAY PARK, a well-established and picturesque retreat close to the fabulous Amroth Beach, is now on the market for £1.85 million. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a tourism-based asset with fantastic trading and development potential and exceptional owner’s accommodation, on the fringes of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The sale is being managed by Colliers’ specialist Parks team.

Nestled within 3.5 hectares of tranquil countryside, Llanteglos Holiday Park is set within the original orchard and gardens of Llanteglos House, a charming period residence that provides the owner’s accommodation. Located just two miles from Amroth Beach, known for its golden sands and rock pools. Visitors can also explore the nearby market town of Narberth, as well as the ever-popular coastal towns of Saundersfoot and Tenby.

The holiday park includes 24 single-storey chalets with mezzanine floors dating from the 1970s leased to third parties under 99-year leases with index-linked annual charges. Additionally, there are eight two-storey chalets. Oak Lodge has been retained and is used for holiday lets. The holiday park also features spacious grounds, complete with a tennis court, children’s play area, and peaceful gardens, making it an attractive and relaxing getaway. Beyond its existing accommodation, the estate offers exciting development potential.

The property includes the Wanderer’s Rest Inn, the premises license for which extends to the wider estate making it perfectly suited for functions and events. Llanteglos Cottage is a charming period cottage currently used for residential lettings, presents an opportunity for holiday rental conversion. Garden Lodge provides a ground floor business unit with a four-bedroom apartment used for holiday lettings on the first floor.

It is very rare for planning permission to be granted for new holiday accommodation developments in such sensitive locations and the holiday park benefits from planning permission for a development of a further eight luxury sustainable holiday units, enhancing its appeal as a modern, eco-friendly holiday destination.

The Baron family, who are now looking to retire, bought this estate 24 years ago, relocating from London, and the business could once again attract a similar purchaser profile of city professionals looking for a lifestyle change running their own tourism-based business in the UK’s only coastal National Park.

Ben Jones, director in Colliers’ Parks team commented: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire a tourism-based asset in a prime location on the fringes of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. There is a core holiday park offering with tremendous trading and development potential and some truly exceptional owner’s accommodation. The additional planning consent for further development makes this a truly great opportunity.”

For more info contact colliers.com

PEMBROKESHIRE CARE HOMES STRUGGLING AS ELDERLY PATIENTS REMAIN IN HOSPITAL BEDS

A MAJOR investigation has revealed a direct link between underfunded care homes and a worsening bed-blocking crisis at Withybush Hospital, exacerbating an already critical healthcare situation in Pembrokeshire.

Research by Care Forum Wales (CFW) highlights how elderly patients who should be discharged to care homes remain in hospital due to a lack of available spaces. This is worsening overcrowding, ambulance delays, and treatment backlogs at Withybush Hospital.

Care homes underfunded, causing NHS gridlock

According to CFW, local authorities under Hywel Dda University Health Board pay some of the lowest fees for care home placements in Wales. This has resulted in fewer available care home beds, leaving elderly patients stuck in hospital for weeks or even months, increasing pressure on the NHS.

Care Forum Wales Chair, Mario Kreft MBE, said: “There is a clear link between underfunded care homes and high levels of delayed hospital discharges.

“Local authorities are prioritising budget protection over patient care, and the result is a catastrophic breakdown in the system.

“At Withybush Hospital, ambulances queue outside while patients who could be safely placed in care homes are taking up hospital beds.

“Elderly patients are occupying hospital beds at a cost of £500 a day, while care home places cost less than £200 a day. It makes no financial or moral sense to continue this way.”

Care home closures could worsen crisis in April

The situation could deteriorate further in 2025. Care homes in Pembrokeshire and across Wales face potential closures due to the UK Government’s increase in National Insurance contributions, which will drive up staffing costs and put struggling homes out of business.

“We fear more care home closures and redundancies from April,” Mr Kreft said. “The care sector is the solution to the NHS crisis, but it’s being neglected. If homes shut down, where will these elderly patients go?”

Withybush Hospital’s bed-blocking crisis: Local impact

Withybush Hospital has been severely affected by bed-blocking, losing over 100 beds following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in its structure in 2023. With fewer hospital beds available, the problem has escalated:

• Elderly patients waiting for care home places are trapped in hospital.
• Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding is at breaking point, with patients waiting in chairs or corridors for treatment.
• Ambulances queue for hours outside Withybush, unable to admit patients due to a lack of available beds.

A recent report found that over 1,500 patients across Wales are currently waiting for discharge because social care and community care services lack the capacity to take them.

Council funding disparities: Where does Pembrokeshire stand?

A CFW league table ranking Welsh councils by the amount they pay for care home places shows Pembrokeshire County Council among the lower funders. In contrast, areas like Newport and Torfaen, which pay higher rates, experience fewer hospital bed-blockers.

Based on historical data and broader trends in the Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB) area, it’s reasonable to estimate that around 65–75% of bed-blocked patients in Pembrokeshire are awaiting discharge to a care home or social care setting.

This estimate aligns with previous reports indicating that Hywel Dda and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Boards have some of the highest rates of delayed discharges in Wales.

We do know that:

• In Gwynedd and Anglesey, where care home fees are among the lowest, over 80% of bed-blocking patients are waiting for a care home place.
• In Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, and Carmarthenshire, where fees are also low, care home patients account for over 75% of those awaiting discharge.
• In Newport, Torfaen, and Blaenau Gwent, which pay higher care home fees, less than 18% of delayed discharges are linked to care home wait times.

Mr Kreft said: “The NHS is haemorrhaging money, paying £500 a night for people to stay in hospital when care home beds costing £200 a night are sitting empty.

“We need to fund social care properly and fix this mess before it’s too late.”

What is being done to fix the crisis?

Several measures are being introduced to reduce bed-blocking at Withybush Hospital, but experts warn that without proper care home funding, these changes won’t go far enough.

NHS discharge planning initiatives

• Hywel Dda University Health Board is using the SAFER patient flow model to speed up discharges.
• Frailty screening is being used to identify patients who could be safely moved to care homes or community care.

Reconfiguration of Withybush Emergency Department (ED)

• An ambulatory care unit and rapid assessment system are being developed to reduce ED overcrowding.

Technology solutions

• New bedside apps like SPARK Fusion® are being trialled to track bed availability and speed up discharges.

Increased funding – but will it be enough?

• The Welsh Government has announced a care home fee increase, raising the standard weekly nursing home rate from £235.88 to £254.06 in April 2025.
• Care providers warn this is not enough to prevent closures and further staff redundancies.

More hospital beds at Withybush?

• Three of the six closed hospital wards at Withybush are expected to reopen by mid-2025, adding desperately needed capacity.

Conclusion: Care home funding must be fixed – before it’s too late

The bed-blocking crisis at Withybush Hospital is not just an NHS problem – it is a social care crisis caused by underfunded care homes.

Without urgent intervention, the lack of care home spaces will:

• Continue to trap elderly patients in hospital unnecessarily.
• Cause longer A&E and ambulance waits.
• Lead to more Pembrokeshire care home closures.

The system is failing both patients and the NHS. Unless decisive action is taken, the crisis will only deepen.

PEMBROKE residents are invited to learn more about a £500,000 gas upgrade set to begin later this month.

Wales & West Utilities is holding a drop-in session at the Town Hall foyer, Main Street, Pembroke, on Sunday, March 24, from 1:15pm to 5:45pm. Locals will have the opportunity to view plans and ask project team members about the work, which will upgrade gas pipes across the Pembroke St. Michael and Pembroke St. Mary South areas.

The upgrade, aimed at ensuring a safe and reliable gas supply for homes and businesses, is scheduled to begin on March 31 and continue until September, barring any engineering delays.

Work will take place in Holyland Road, Gooses Lane, Grove Hill, Main Street, Orange Way, Rock Terrace, and Well Hill. Wales & West Utilities is coordinating with Pembrokeshire County Council, and traffic management measures will be announced in due course.

Project manager Adam Smith said: “We’d like to see as many residents as possible at our drop-in event so we can share the details of the work.

“While most of the gas network is out of sight, it plays a vital role in daily life—whether it’s heating homes, cooking dinner, or running a hot bath. We understand the inconvenience of roadworks, but this upgrade is essential to ensure a safe and reliable gas supply now and for the future.

“Our engineers will be on-site throughout to complete the work as safely and quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum. This project will also prepare the network to transport hydrogen and biomethane, supporting a greener future.”

For further information, residents can contact Wales & West Utilities’ customer service team on 0800 912 2999, via X (formerly Twitter) @WWUtilities, or on Facebook at facebook.com/wwutilities.

Wales & West Utilities supplies gas to 7.5 million people across Wales and the South West of England. If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, call the emergency line on 0800 111 999 immediately.