AN APPLICATION to rebuild a weather-damaged riverside wall at a historic Pembrokeshire mill and museum, now a restaurant, has been approved by national park planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners, Bluestone Resorts Ltd sought permission for the replacement of a collapsed riverside retaining wall at the listed Blackpool Mill, Blackpool Bridge, near Narberth.

A supporting statement through agent Graham Frecknall Architects said: “The property of Black Pool Mill is a Grade-II*-protected heritage asset located on the south bank of the Cleddau River at Blackpool Bridge.

“The property was granted formal planning and listed building consent in 2020 to convert the former museum use to a restaurant with ancillary on site facilities and was opened to the public in July 2023.

“In October 2023 after a spell of considerable rainfall and high tides, a large portion of the existing stone faced, riverside retaining wall located immediately adjacent to the main mill building and to the rear gable of the store building collapsed into the Cleddau River. In November 2023 following liaison with conservation and NRW officers, temporary works were installed to limit further collapse and/or erosion of the retaining wall whilst a permanent solution was sought.

“The proposals for the new retaining wall look to re-create the coursed stone façade of the pre-collapsed riverside wall in modern, structural materials, formed and coloured to match the basement stone façade of the main mill building adjacent.”

The restaurant opened in 2023 after William McNamara, CEO of Bluestone National Park Resort, received permission to restore the mill in 2020. A total of £3 million was spent on preserving, restoring, and transforming the Georgian building and its grounds.

The 210-year-old mill had been renovated and rebuilt by skilled craftspeople and engineers who have taken care to preserve its historical character.

They installed 53 traditional sash windows that match the classic Georgian architecture, as well as custom-made staircases.

The original milling equipment, including the connecting rods and braces, was also restored to reflect the mill’s industrial history.

The restaurant created 35 new jobs both front and back of house.

An officer report for the latest application, recommending approval, said: “The wall is to be built of pre-cast ‘Redi-roc’ to a traditional batter, the outer facing giving the appearance of coursed rock-faced masonry, the colour to match the masonry of the mill. The wall will be underpinned by a reinforced concrete foundation on bed rock.”

Detailing the mill itself, the report said: “Blackpool Mill, listed Grade II* is a rare and complete survival of a Late Georgian former corn mill, a tall and imposing symmetrical winged group, on the upper tidal reaches of the Eastern Cleddau,” adding: “The site is of archaeological importance, being the site of an iron forge, established in 1760, ceasing production in 1806.”

The latest application, and a related listed building application, was conditionally approved by national park planners.

CHANGES to Pembrokeshire streetlight provision, which has seen their loss in some rural areas, has saved £1.5m a year, councillors heard.

In a question submitted to the May meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Michael John asked: “The loss of streetlights in rural areas is an issue which causes great concern to any members of the public affected, and one which is raised with me regularly.

“I believe it is an issue that a number of other members have raised and continue to raise with the department also. Given the policy was introduced around 2006, nearly 20 years ago, does the Cabinet Member agree it would be a good time for it to be reviewed?”

Responding, Responding, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said the changes were introduced following a notice of motion by a former county councillor back in 2008, with the need for lights based on four criteria: the number of night-time injuries, high usage – both for vehicles and pedestrians, night-time crime levels, and the number of residents in properties nearby.

Members heard changes to lighting provision, including updating to more efficient LED types, as well as data-led targeting of new areas for lighting, and decommissioning of lighting in areas not meeting the criteria, saved the council some £1.5m a year, along with a reduction in Carbon emissions.

He said he was more than happy the concerns raised following the changes could be reviewed at an appropriate council scrutiny committee.

Cllr Sinnett said was one of the original supporters of the change in policy, adding that, although not universally popular, the change “has had some quite positive effects in terms of budget savings and carbon reduction”.

He finished: “I commend the administration of the time for having the courage to introduce that.”

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL says it is pleased to confirm that essential conservation and repair works at Narberth Castle will start on Monday, May 19.

The works are part of a carefully planned conservation programme designed to stabilise the castle’s historic stone walls using specialist mortar bedding techniques, undertaken in accordance with CADW guidance.

Given the sensitive and technical nature of the works, and the need to use tracked access equipment across uneven grassed areas, a full closure of the site to the public will be required for a period of 12 weeks.

This includes the footpath through the site.

This closure will enable contractors to carry out vital repair and stabilisation work safely and effectively.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of August 2025, at which point the entire site will be fully reopened to the public.

Currently, several areas of Narberth Castle remain closed due to structural safety concerns.

While it is fully appreciated that the summer months are important for tourists and visitors, prolonged dry weather during this period is essential to carry out the specialist conservation works effectively and safely.

These essential works are key to ensuring the long-term preservation of this important heritage site.

Pembrokeshire County Council says it remains committed to keeping the community informed throughout the project and will provide regular updates as the work progresses.
Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “We apologise for the short notice before this work begins but it is important that we acted as quickly as possible to deliver this project whilst the weather allows it.

“It will mean some inconvenience now, but with the outcome that this important heritage asset remains in good condition for the foreseeable future.

“We thank people in Narberth for their patience on this matter and I am sure they would want to see a safe and accessible cultural asset in their community for the long term.”

Cllr Marc Tierney, the local Councillor for the Narberth Urban ward, added: “Narberth Castle is really important to the people of the town and historically as a place linked to the Mabinogion.

“The delay to repair works has been frustrating, and a continued closure is disappointing. However, I realise that good weather is needed to ensure the repairs hold, which means the Castle will reopen to all in a few months.

“Many local residents have asked how the Castle grounds could be further improved, and this is part of an ongoing conversation that I am having with the Town Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and other interested parties.”