News

Bluestone’s new £7m SkyDome project could create 300 jobs

Published

7 years ago

October 4, 2017

BLUESTONE has unveiled plans for its ‘groundbreaking’ SkyDome project which is expected to inject millions of pounds into the local economy.

A UK first, the £7million development will see a transparent canopy arched over a massive 7000 sqm area encompassing cafes, shops, activities and a 600-seat amphitheatre.

Expected to take around 15 months to build, it is anticipated that SkyDome will open to resort guests in spring 2019. Initially it will create 55 new jobs at the resort and will see around £3m spent within the local construction industry. It’s predicted that the new all-weather facility will herald the creation of an additional 300 jobs, taking the workforce at Bluestone to 1000 by 2020 .

With its sweeping, undulating landscape of natural grass, trees and ferns, SkyDome’s clear span roof would easily cover an area the size of a football pitch. The internal terrain will rise and fall in excess of ten metres which will give the space a genuinely organic atmosphere and a sense of being outside.

The concept was the brainchild of Bluestone’s CEO William McNamara, who wanted to create a landmark project for the resort offering quality holidays and short breaks whatever the weather.

“We’ve got lots of plans for the facilities within SkyDome which will take guests on a journey through its winding, gently sloping paths, to a choice of activities for all ages,” said Mr McNamara.

“Proposals include caving, a high ropes course, ‘free-range’ craft activities and an adventure play area. The vision is to provide a spectacular undercover venue bringing the great outdoors indoors.

An additional £22m will be generated for the local economy over a ten year period which includes £3m spent with local contractors during the construction phase.”

SkyDome aims to continue Bluestone’s ecological ethos where the holiday resort has already seen more than 330,000 trees and shrubs planted since 2008, and the creation of two biomass energy centres, producing 7,000 mwh of carbon neutral energy per year.

The environment has been carefully designed to reflect its natural surroundings, drawing on expert advice from physicists and horticulturalists and as a result the area will not be heated, relying instead on solar gain for warmth, while still allowing indigenous plants and trees to grow and flourish. The dome itself, supplied by Novum structures, will cost more than £3m and will be made up of hundreds of ETFE (Ethylene Tetra Flouro Ethylene) roof panels, similar to those used on the resort’s water park.

Terry Morley, partner at Holder Mathias Architects said: “The SkyDome creates a 7000 sqm covered Leisure Attraction which is a unique project and one which we are delighted to be involved in. The use of an ETFE covering on such a scale and in a UK holiday resort environment is, we believe, groundbreaking and will make a significant contribution to further enhancing the attractiveness of the Bluestone offer.”

The project leaders have been working with horticulturalist Ivor Stokes who worked at Kew Gardens, and more recently at the National Botanical Garden of Wales as its Director of Horticulture.

Head of Projects Liz Weedon said: “Ivor’s knowledge and expertise has helped us devise the perfect environment to achieve our vision.”

Mrs Weedon added: “As the area is rain-free, water run-off from the SkyDome will be collected in what is essentially a French drain system and used to manually irrigate the plants and trees inside. We have worked carefully to create an area which is still a genuine Pembrokeshire climate; therefore the SkyDome’s edges will not be hermetically sealed. Instead a perimeter bund has been designed to provide additional shelter allowing guests to have a real authentic outdoor experience – indoors.”

Mr McNamara concluded: “At Bluestone, we know that families like to relax and engage with the natural environment when they are here and with almost ten years of feedback from our guests we know they are really inspired by the beautiful, natural landscape of Pembrokeshire; our new SkyDome is the perfect compromise between the great outdoors and a dry all weather family activity area.

“We see this as a massive boost to the tourism offering at Bluestone and for Pembrokeshire, providing all-year-round, all weather holidays.”

News

Fire fighters respond to dangerous structure incident in Johnston

Published

59 mins ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AT 8:28am on Friday (Jan 24), a crew from Haverfordwest Fire Station responded to a dangerous structure incident on Vine Road, Johnston.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to address roof ridge tiles hanging precariously from a two-storey domestic property over a public pavement.

A full road closure was implemented while firefighters used a turntable ladder to safely remove the tiles and secure the area.

The pavement and road have since reopened. The crew left the scene at 9:28am.

News

County councillor warns of dangerous and illegal E-scooter use in Haverfordwest

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A COUNTY councillor in Haverfordwest has raised concerns about the dangerous actions of individuals using e-scooters in the town centre. Cllr David Bryan says that complaints from residents about the misuse of these devices have become a daily occurrence, highlighting the risks posed to pedestrians and road users alike.

According to Cllr Bryan, riders—both youngsters and adults—have been observed engaging in reckless behaviour, such as riding against the flow of traffic on one-way streets like High Street and Quay Street, as well as using pedestrian areas and pavements on Bridge Street and Riverside. Such actions put vulnerable residents, particularly older people and those who are hard of hearing, at significant risk.

“E-scooters ridden in pedestrian areas, on pavements, and against the flow of road traffic are not only dangerous but are also illegal,” the councillor said. “The only lawful way to use an e-scooter is on private land with the landowner’s permission.”

The councillor also criticised retailers for failing to adequately inform customers about the legal restrictions surrounding e-scooters at the point of purchase. “The lack of responsibility by sellers is extremely poor,” they added.

Police crackdown on E-Scooter misuse

Dyfed-Powys Police are conducting an operation to tackle the issue. Efforts include educating riders through school visits and other outreach initiatives, as well as seizing and impounding e-scooters that are being ridden illegally in public spaces.

Residents are urged to report instances of illegal e-scooter use by calling 101, providing details such as location and time to assist police investigations. CCTV footage may then be used to identify offenders.

Cllr Bryan concluded: “By working together, we can address this anti-social behaviour and make our town centre safer for everyone.”

News

Consultation launched on changes to Library Service

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has launched a consultation about proposed changes to the Library Service.

The public is asked for feedback on proposed changes to Milford Haven, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Libraries.

Following a Library Needs Assessment last summer which asked the public about their library needs and about ways to reduce running costs as part of Council-wide savings requirements, it became clear that respondents did not support closing libraries, replacing staff with 24/7 access technology or reducing the book fund.

More support was given to reducing costs by co-locating or downsizing libraries, working with volunteers or reducing opening hours.

Working on the basis of a potential 20% savings requirement for the Library Service, the following changes are proposed:

Milford Haven Library: either to relocate the library to a smaller/cheaper premises or establish a Community Managed Partnership at the current library.

A Public Meeting will be held on Monday 3^rd February 2025, starting at 6.30pm at Milford Haven Library to outline how the option to establish a Community Managed partnership would work. All are welcome to attend.

Pembroke Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by eight hours per week.
Pembroke Dock Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by seven hours per week. We are also looking at options to share the library space with a third-party to reduce premises costs.

To take part in the consultations, please follow the links below.

Customers often use more than one library, so please feel free to take part in any / all of the surveys.

Paper copies of the consultations are available at each of the three libraries.

The paper surveys will remain in place until 5pm, on 17th February 2025, when the consultations will close.

The online survey will also close at the same time.

Should the Library Service savings requirement go up or down from 20% following the Council budget meeting on February 20th, a fresh consultation in relation to any additional or different proposals for change will be made.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “The Library Needs Assessment last year has helped shape the current proposals in a way that avoids library closures and some of the other negative impacts that the respondents told us they were against.

“Given the difficult financial situation impacting the Council we have tried to create proposals that strike a balance that continues to providing a much loved library service while also providing savings.

“Please take the time to fill in the surveys and provide feedback on the proposals ahead of decisions being taken.

“For those who use Milford Haven Library please also take up the opportunity to attend the public meeting on Monday 3^rd February 2025, at 6.30pm.”