WEST WALES could have a new water park attraction in proposals being mooted by the award-winning Moody Cow Farm Shop and Welsh Kitchen, near Aberaeron, Ceredigion.

The award-winning Moody Cow Farm Shop and Welsh Kitchen, along with Bargoed Farm, is owned by Chris and Geraint Thomas.

The couple moved to the derelict farm in 2010 after previously diversifying their cattle farm in the Brecon Beacons, but then losing everything due to legal issues.

They completely transformed the site before opening Bargoed Farm Campsite in 2018 and using wooden hot tubs as a unique way to bring in customers.

Chris and Geraint then launched The Moody Cow Farm Shop and Welsh Kitchen, serving up a wide range of Welsh dishes created using local ingredients.

Over the years, the attraction has expanded, recently gaining permission for a trampoline park on-site, called the ‘Bouncing Bull,’ and, back in 2023, was given planning permission expand its on-site caravan park with new tourer pitches with hot tubs, and glamping accommodation.

Bargoed Farm has now launched a public consultation on proposals to expand the attraction with a water park and leisure facility.

Details of exactly what is proposed have not been released yet.

The consultation, available online through surveymonkey or from Bargoed Farm, says: “Bargoed Farm is planning an exciting new indoor and outdoor waterpark and leisure facility, designed to provide year-round water-based activities for visitors and the local community.

“This new development will include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, thrilling water slides, a dedicated training pool, a children’s splash area, and a warm activity pool, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy high-quality aquatic experiences in all seasons.

“Our aim is to create a premier leisure attraction in Mid Wales, offering family fun, fitness, and relaxation, while also supporting the local economy by drawing more visitors to the area.

“As we progress with the planning and development of this project, we are committed to ensuring that the views and needs of both local residents and visitors are fully considered. This survey has been created to gather your feedback on how you would use the facility, what features are most important to you, and how we can make it as accessible and enjoyable as possible.

“Your insights will directly influence the final design of the waterpark, helping us to shape it into a valuable asset for the local community and a must-visit destination for tourists.

“By taking part, you are helping to ensure that this development is designed in a way that best serves those who will use it most.

“We greatly appreciate your time in completing this survey.

“Whether you are a local resident looking for improved swimming facilities, a visitor who would love a high-quality waterpark in the region, or a business owner interested in how this could boost the local economy, your feedback is essential in shaping the future of this exciting new project.”

Bargoed Farm, which publicised the proposals on March 31/April 1, has confirmed the scheme was not an April Fools.

A CALL to refuse Pembrokeshire council plans for an overnight motorhome and campervan parking site close to Fishguard’s ferry by some of its own officers has been withdrawn, but the town council has raised its own objections.

A trial scheme for overnight motorhome parking facilities at the Goodwick Moor car park, The Parrog, was mooted last year after a February 2024 council Cabinet-backed trial scheme for a ‘Pembs Stop’ campervan and motorhomes facilities at four car parks was later dropped.

It had initially been agreed that car parks at North Beach, Tenby; Goodwick Moor, Goodwick; Townsmoor, Narberth; and Western Way, Pembroke Dock would form the trial areas operating year-round at £10 a night for a trial 18-month period, with the intention not to create ‘campsites’.

That planned trial received national coverage, with a discussion on a phone-in programme on BBC Radio Wales.

Local tourism businesses had said the proposals will harm them, and concerns about the trial were also raised by the official tourism industry group for Pembrokeshire, Visit Pembrokeshire.

Following that, a special council scrutiny committee meeting was held last April where the scheme was overwhelmingly rejected; a later September 2024 Cabinet agreeing to not proceed with the scheme but instead trial an overnight stopover facility for motorhomes at Goodwick Moor car park, linked to the ferry port, the 18-month trial was initially expected to start this March.

A formal planning application for a conditional change of use of the Goodwick Moor Car Park scheme “to allow for the sleeping overnight between 7am and 9am for motorhomes/camper vans only” has been submitted by the council but the authority’s own Pollution Control Team had initially recommended refusal.

In its first report, the team said: “The Pollution Control Team have a history of complaints associated with this particular location where it has been utilised for overnight parking of heavy goods vehicles.”

It said the proposal “would undoubtedly represent an intensification of the site for the overnighting of transient vehicles” and it would be placed in an untenable position where it would not be able to enforce any noise complaints at a site where it has “historically been an issue for overnighting vehicles” through a noise abatement notice.

Since then, the council has submitted further information in the form of an operational statement to support the application and to address previous concerns.

That plan includes greater mitigation details of the 18-month trial “with assessment as to the suitability of the use of the Goodwick Moor site for overnighting vehicles to then take place after the trial period”.

The control team’s statement, now in conditional support of the scheme, says, adding: “The operation of the facility proposed is detailed as a one-night maximum overnight parking use for motorhome type vehicles associated with the use of the local ferry terminal service.”

However, Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council has objected to the application, raising concerns of noise nuisance to residents and other users, a lack of provision of facilities for overnight motorhome/campervans, saying the proposal would have an adverse impact on existing businesses and residents, a loss of community amenity, a loss of evening car parking facility for existing community groups, and poor road surfacing.

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

AN APPLICATION to change part of Tenby’s former town hall and market hall, and the nearby former TP Hughes department store to a spa hotel, restaurant and café/bar is expected to be approved by national park planners.

Wil Crockford of Bassett Crockford Holdings Ltd is seeking permission from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for a change of use the former TP Hughes/ M&Co store and a part change of use of the market hall and former town hall to a spa hotel, restaurant and cafe/bar, with associated extensions and alterations at 12 High Street and Old Town Hall and Market Hall, Tenby.

The plans, and a related listed building application, are recommended for delegated approval at the April 9 meeting of the park’s development management committee.

The scheme is supported by Tenby Town Council, subject to protection of existing market operations, to retain appropriate levels of illumination into market area at ground floor level, and an agreed action plan for integration with potential refurbishment of the market.

Tenby Civic Society has raised concerns raised on the spa/fitness suite having an impact on the running of the market traders’ businesses but welcomes the addition of a ground floor WC for market traders.

Concerns from members of the public include the need for a spa hotel, the impact on existing market traders during construction both in terms of noise and dust during works and a potential temporary market closure for construction work to be undertaken, along with potential antisocial behaviour arising from the proposed bar/restaurant.

An officer report for planners says: “The development for a new hotel extends across two buildings with reception at ground floor, retention of a first-floor enclosed link bridge will provide internal access between the two buildings. The 20 hotel rooms will be located within the remaining upper floors of the existing M & Co buildings, and two new roof extensions in a mansard form to accommodate further hotel space.

“The spa comprising treatment rooms, gym and associated facilities will be located at first floor level within the historic town hall aspect and first floor extensions off the rear which extend into the marketplace at first floor level.

“Further facilities in the form of a café will be linked to the hotel reception area at ground floor with additional toilet facilities and bicycle storage provided within the basement level. The proposed restaurant will be accommodated within the southern building, providing 88 covers and having toilet facilities located at first floor level above part of the restaurant.

“The proposed scheme also includes various external alterations to the existing M & Co buildings to accommodate the new uses. The Market Hall, which is a Grade-II-Listed Building will be retained as existing externally, and repairs are proposed to its slate roof and one of the gates on the main façade which will be repaired and painted. No other external alterations are proposed to the structure.”

The report says a financial contribution of £25,000 can be requested to support active and sustainable travel improvements within the vicinity of Tenby, would support implementation of EV charge points within the community by the Highway Authority.

The application is recommended for conditional delegated approval to senior park officers on completion of a S106 legal agreement to cover financial contributions.