THE AIR around a historic mill on the Bluestone National Park Resort estate has been found to be cleaner than any site currently monitored by the UK Government.

Black Pool Mill, an early 19th-century water mill that now houses a restaurant near Canaston Woods, has been recording air quality since 2024 as part of Bluestone’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

According to the data, the mean average of PM2.5 – fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter – at the site is just three micrograms per cubic metre. That is significantly below legal limits in Wales (25) and England (20), and cleaner than any figures recorded at official UK monitoring sites.

PM2.5 particles can come from aerosols, vehicle fumes and industrial emissions, as well as natural sources such as dust and pollen. The health impacts of long-term exposure to these particles are well documented, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

Professor Paul Lewis, Chief Scientific Officer at Health and Wellbeing 360 and Clean Air Programme Regional Champion for Wales, is leading the research. He said: “Black Pool Mill is clearly way below the legal thresholds. South Pembrokeshire benefits from westerly sea winds and very low levels of man-made pollution. The mill is surrounded by ancient woodland, in a sheltered estuary valley, and sits within Bluestone’s car-free resort – all of which contribute to these outstanding results.”

Environmental scientist Marten Lewis, director of sustainability at Bluestone, said: “We’re delighted but not surprised. This confirms that our efforts to protect the environment and put the wellbeing of our guests and staff first are paying off. Following our recent King’s Award for Enterprise in sustainable development, this shows why Bluestone stands out as a model for regenerative tourism.”

Mr Lewis added that Bluestone is now looking to trial new low-particulate cleaning products and expand monitoring to indoor areas including lodges, the resort pub, and children’s play facilities.

Black Pool Mill reopened in 2023 following extensive restoration and now forms part of Bluestone’s visitor experience, offering seasonal food in a historic riverside setting.

Photo caption:
Clean air: Black Pool Mill sits in ancient woodland near the River Cleddau (Pic: Bluestone)

SPECSAVERS has launched a new audiology service in Wales, supporting people across South East and South West Wales, from Fishguard to Caerphilly, who are unable to visit their high street stores.

The new team of hearing experts will provide free home hearing checks to those who cannot leave their homes unaccompanied. The service is being led by audiology directors Andrew Williams and Matthew Maguire, who have joined forces with the existing optics Home Visits team to expand services beyond eye care.

It offers the full range of hearing services available at Specsavers stores – from hearing checks and wax removal to hearing aid fittings.

Audiology director, Andrew Williams, comments: ‘We’re thrilled to bring this service to Wales, helping people who might otherwise struggle to access quality hearing care – whether due to mobility issues, mental health or the challenges of old age.

‘To be the first Specsavers team in Wales to deliver this type of service is a key milestone and one we’re proud to be leading. We’re looking forward to getting to know the local community and bringing essential support to those who need it most, right where they feel safest and most comfortable.’

Customer service director, Alison Warren, who has led the optics team since it first launched 11 years ago, adds: ‘After months of planning, it’s fantastic to see this new service up and running. The impact of at-home appointments goes far beyond clinical care. For many of our customers, especially those living alone, we might be the only face they see that week.

‘It’s not just about hearing aids or eye tests, it’s about connection, dignity and taking the time to really be there for someone.

‘Having Andrew and Matthew join the team means we can bring that same level of care to people’s hearing needs too and that makes a real difference to their quality of life.’

To mark the launch, colleagues from across Wales came together to celebrate at their new office in Palmerston, Barry. The occasion was an opportunity to raise awareness of the new service and highlight the positive impact it aims to have across the region.

For more information or to book an appointment, call 01446 508128 or visit the Specsavers website: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/home-hearing-tests.

Plans by a Pembrokeshire council officer and senior college member of staff to expand a holiday operation which was voted as the best of its type in the UK by the Caravan Club in its very first year of operation have been submitted to the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Dean and Sharon Philpin seek permission to expand the existing holiday operation at Woody Kiln Farm, Herbrandston Village, Herbrandston by converting a former agricultural barn to four short-term holiday lets.

A supporting statement through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd says: “Woody Kiln Farm is located to the east of Herbrandston village, to the south easterly side of Havens Park residential estate. It is a registered agricultural holding and the land is used mainly for the raising and grazing of sheep covering 12 / 13 acres.

“The farm complex comprises of a number of traditional outbuildings and the applicants main dwelling surrounding a surfaced courtyard. Immediately to the south is a caravan site registered with the Caravan & Motorhome Club as a Certificated Location for up to five touring caravans and motorhomes.

“This Certificated Location has been in operation for 10 years and was the first ever site to be voted the best site in UK on its first year of operating by its members. In recent years it was voted best site in Wales.”

The site has won many similar Certificated Location awards.

It adds: “The farm is in the ownership of the applicants with Mr Dean Philpin having inherited it from his father in 2017 who has semi-retired from agriculture. With Mr Philpin Senior’s guidance, Mr Philpin Junior and Mrs Philpin manage the farm on a part time basis.

“Mr Philpin works full time as the ‘Finance Manager for Education and Schools’ in Pembrokeshire County Council, whilst Mrs Philpin is the Section Lead for Heath, Childcare and Commercial Enterprise at Pembrokeshire College. Mrs Philpin has over 25 years’ experience in running a commercial enterprise.

“This led to conversion of another stone barn to ‘The Retreat Hair & Beauty’ salon.  This was approved in 2018 and has been operating since 2019, and has been a very successful live / work premises utilising a redundant farm building.”

It went on to say: “The application proposal relates to a total of three barns that integrate into one building footprint. It is intended to reuse the barns and provide four short term holiday let units that will be run in conjunction with our client’s current Caravan Club site, situated immediately to the east of the barns.”

It was described as: “A sympathetic design that incorporates no change to the footprint or roof design and little change to the fenestration is the main theme of the design strategy.”

The scheme will be considered by park planners at a later date.