News

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

Published

8 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.”

Charity

Donation gives Stackpole Quay book trailer fresh new look

Published

11 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY donation will help spruce up a popular summer book trailer at Stackpole Quay after members of the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association handed over more than one thousand pounds to support the project.

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association presented a cheque for £1,095 to the National Trust at Stackpole Quay this weekend.

The cheque was formally given to Rhian Sula, General Manager for the charity’s Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay portfolio, by association chairman Jane Mason during a National Trust information coffee morning at the Stackpole Centre.

The money will be used to refurbish the well-known second-hand book trailer which operates at the quay during the summer months. The trailer allows visitors to pick up a holiday read while making a donation, with proceeds supporting local conservation and access projects.

Last year alone, the trailer raised more than £1,500.

Jane Mason said the association had originally funded the purchase of the trailer several years ago and wanted to build on its success.

“Our new donation from members’ support will improve the trailer with updated imagery and design,” she said. “This will help the National Trust present a more professional, welcoming and brand-aligned offer, and potentially grow donation income.”

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association runs a programme of talks, visits and guided walks in support of local Trust properties. Membership of the National Trust is not required to join the association. Annual membership costs £5 for individuals and £8 for couples.

At its AGM in November, the group announced £3,000 in additional donations for local projects, including replacement willow hurdles at Tudor Merchants House, footpath improvements at Little Milford, and a new bench, tree planting and path works at Southwood.

With the latest contribution towards the book trailer, the association’s donations for the current financial year now exceed £4,000.

Photo caption:

Jane Mason presents a cheque for £1,095 to Rhian Sula at Stackpole Centre (Pic: supplied).

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

11 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

11 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.