An application to rebuild a weather-damaged riverside wall at Blackpool Mill near Narberth has been approved by National Park planners.

In an application to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Bluestone Resorts Ltd sought permission for the replacement of a collapsed riverside retaining wall at the listed building, which is now a restaurant.

A supporting statement through agent Graham Frecknall Architects said: “In October 2023 after a spell of considerable rainfall and high tides, a large portion of the existing stone faced, riverside retaining wall located immediately adjacent to the main mill building and to the rear gable of the store building collapsed into the Cleddau River.

“In November 2023 following liaison with conservation and NRW officers, temporary works were installed to limit further collapse and/or erosion of the retaining wall whilst a permanent solution was sought.

“The proposals for the new retaining wall look to re-create the coursed stone façade of the pre-collapsed riverside wall in modern, structural materials, formed and coloured to match the basement stone façade of the main mill building adjacent.”

An officer report for the latest application, recommending approval, said: “The wall is to be built of pre-cast ‘Redi-roc’ to a traditional batter, the outer facing giving the appearance of coursed rock-faced masonry, the colour to match the masonry of the mill. The wall will be underpinned by a reinforced concrete foundation on bed rock.”

“Blackpool Mill, listed Grade II* is a rare and complete survival of a Late Georgian former corn mill, a tall and imposing symmetrical winged group, on the upper tidal reaches of the Eastern Cleddau,” adding: “The site is of archaeological importance, being the site of an iron forge, established in 1760, ceasing production in 1806.”

The latest application, and a related listed building application, was conditionally approved by National Park planners.