Developers behind a planning application to build 75 holiday lodges at Heritage Park, in Pleasant Valley, Stepaside have stated that the applicant is looking to create a ‘sensitively designed comprehensive development’ as part of the community that will help to support economic prosperity throughout Pembrokeshire.

Residents of the area have held several meetings in recent weeks, with the ‘Stepaside and Pleasant Valley Residents Group’ formed earlier last month in order to collate and present objections from the community to the proposed development submitted by Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd which comprises of - 75 holiday lodges, spa facility, 4 holiday apartments, warden’s accommodation, café, cycle hire, stables for 12 horses, ménage, office, rebuilding of Plum Tree Hall, 2 residential garages, with related infrastructure and engineering works, including a new one-way system for the spa.

Objectors claim that the plans submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council would double the size of the Heritage Park, which is located at the Old Iron Works.

However, further to the issues raised by objectors over the proposals, the applicant for the development said that they wished to provide ‘some clarity on the concerns’ raised, whilst also demonstrating the benefits the scheme will provide to the local area and Pembrokeshire as a whole.

“Heritage Park has undergone significant investment since the change of ownership in the summer of 2007. The applicant has transformed the entire site with significant investment in the upgrading of the services and extensive landscaping,” said James Gibson Associate Director of Lichfields the planning and development agents acting on behalf of the applicants Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd.

“All work has been carried out to an extremely high standard whilst also respecting the historic assets that make this Park distinctive.

“Since the start of the planning application process in Autumn 2017, a significant level of positive statutory and non-statutory consultation and engagement has taken place with technical and regulatory stakeholders and the local and wider community on numerous occasions.

“The suggestions made by consultees, including many of the local residents, during the consultation and engagement process have been taken into consideration,” he continued.

The developers have stated that the resulting scheme includes a number of social and economic benefits such as: an injection of £6.5 million of investment into the local economy in Pembrokeshire; a contribution of £2.4 million into the local economy each year from increased visitor expenditure; the creation of 51 permanent jobs and creation of 29 indirect jobs (supported jobs) through expenditure on goods, supplies and services within the surrounding area.

“The applicant is sensitive to the concerns of some local residents but is also aware of strong support from elsewhere within the local community,” continued Mr. Gibson.

“The proposed development is a result of a well-managed transparent process which allowed anyone and everyone to have their say.

“All the comments made at consultation stage were considered and the planning submission demonstrates that this is a well-designed, sensitive and sustainable extension to what is an impeccably managed and maintained tourist facility which makes an important contribution to the local economy and also preserves important heritage assets within an accessible and pleasant setting.

“Significant work has been undertaken by the development team to ensure that the development does not detrimentally impact on the landscape, the environment, the historic environment or flooding and drainage and this has been recognised by responses of the statutory consultees,” he added.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee will consider the proposals in due course.