Transformation of Haverfordwest Castle to involve locals
This initiative, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, aims to showcase stories from Pembrokeshire's past, present, and future.
People are encouraged to share their thoughts on what they'd like to see at the castle by filling in a questionnaire at haverfordwestcastle.wales or picking up a paper copy at County Hall, Haverfordwest.
The survey takes around five minutes and residents are asked to share their own stories, memories, and thoughts about the county.
The new visitor experience will not only focus on the castle but will also highlight stories from across the county, reflecting the unique character of Pembrokeshire and its people.
The project aims to create an attraction that resonates with both locals and visitors, drawing on the stories, ideas, and memories of those with ties to the castle or other parts of Pembrokeshire.
The transformation project has been in development for nearly a decade, in collaboration with a group of community stakeholders.
Once completed, the new attraction will be managed by Haverfordwest Castle CIO, a charitable organisation that has emerged from this stakeholder group.
The first stage of the project is already underway, focusing on restoring the castle and the old gaol, with funding from the Levelling Up Fund.
Once these areas are ready, they will be fitted out with an exhibition.
The project, which has been nearly a decade in the making, has been developed with input from an active group of community stakeholders.
Haverfordwest Castle CIO will run the attraction once it opens.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Fresh blow for 1,000s of caravan drivers over new £10 charge sparking fierce backlash
MOTORHOMES and campervans are at risk of having nowhere to park, after a popular tourist spot introduces £10 charge. In what will be a huge blow to larger vehicle owners, a local authority appears set to significantly reduce motorhome parking, GB News reports. Pembrokeshire County Council will consider a single overnight parking facility at Goodwick Moor car park next week. This comes after the collapse of the broader initiative which would have established designated motorhome stops at four locations across the county. This new scaled-back proposal marks a considerable reversal from previous plans launched by the council in February last year. The measures aimed to create year-round facilities for larger vehicles by charging £10 per night at sites in Tenby, Narberth and Pembroke Dock alongside Goodwick. The scheme attracted national attention but was rejected after fierce resistance from local tourism businesses. The backlash stemmed from fears that the original proposals would damage their operations, with Visit Pembrokeshire being among those to express serious reservations. This negativity resulted in the council choosing to scale back its plans and abandon the wider parking measures in September last year. The authority has since opted to pursue a single overnight stopover facility at Goodwick Moor. This stopover point is conveniently located near the Fishguard ferry terminal. Council officers have recommended a conditional approval for a two-year trail period, noting that the proposal requires no physical alterations to the existing park. Molly-Mae Hague slammed for 'always complaining' as she reveals 'struggles' on £86k motorhome holiday with Tommy Fury Official council documents read: "A Management Plan has been provided in support of the application, and it states that the proposal would allow for one night stopover for Motorhomes / Campervans within certain areas of the car park for a trial period. "The car park currently operates as a public car park, which has seen a significant growth in Motorhomes using the facility. "However, the primary use of the site would continue as a car park, while regulating the overnight stays." Officers hope that the scheme will "regulate existing activities" in an acknowledgement that overnight stays often already occur at the site. However, Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council has formally objected to the application, raising multiple concerns about the scheme's impact on residents and local businesses. Councillors worry that the proposal will have a negative impact on local businesses and residents, and also cause a loss of evening parking for those who use the facility. Also, the council's own Pollution Control Team raised concerns, initially recommending refusal. It cited "a history of complaints associated with this particular location where it has been utilised for overnight parking of Heavy Goods Vehicles." However, the site's designation as employment land under the Local Development Plan presents a policy conflict, as the area is allocated for business and storage uses rather than tourism facilities. Council officers acknowledged this breach but argued that the temporary nature of the proposal wouldn't prevent future employment development, particularly given that no detailed employment schemes have emerged since the plan's adoption in 2013. The council document added: "The development would predominantly remain a car park but would enable users of certain vehicles the option to stay overnight. "The proposal includes the installation of bins and updates to signage to facilitate the development, which are minor and could be installed under the permitted development rights afforded to the applicant." The Sun has reached out to Pembrokeshire County Council for further comment. 1
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Retrospective plan for luxury holiday lodges approved
In an application recommended for approval at the July 29 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council's planning committee, Mr and Mrs Lewis seek permission for a change of use from serviced holiday lodges to allow hybrid self-catering and serviced holiday lodges at Canaston Oaks, Canaston Bridge, near Narberth and the Bluestone holiday resort. The site has won multiple Visit Wales Gold Awards and wishes to upgrade its existing holiday accommodation to provide both self-catering and serviced catering for customers. A supporting statement through agent Harries Planning Design Management said: 'Canaston Oaks currently offers Gold Award winning five-star luxury accommodation to its customers and is seeking to develop its facilities in line with customer demand, to broaden its overall offer on site. It is strategically located in mid Pembrokeshire off the A40 at Canaston Bridge, forming part of a cluster of tourism attractions and accommodation in the area. 'However, the applicant seeks to offer its customers self-catering in lodges Unit 1 and Unit 2, by incorporating a basic kitchenette. This retrospective proposal is largely due to the geography of local amenities. The closest local supermarkets, restaurants and other amenities are over three miles away. 'Often families and couples staying at their lodges arrive at varying times of the day and night and as such the applicant wishes for their customers to be able to offer self-catering, comparable to their neighbouring Bluestone resort. Further to this, there are no changes proposed externally to allow these units to function as self-catering.' An officer report recommending approval to the committee members said: 'The application seeks planning permission in retrospect for a hybrid use of two previously approved serviced holiday lodges to be able to be used for serviced or self-catering accommodation. The lodges have been erected and are set around a lake within the established complex known as Canaston Oaks.' The recommendation of approval, moved by Cllr Brian Hall and seconded by Cllr Simon Hancock, was unanimously backed by committee members.
Western Telegraph
28-07-2025
- Western Telegraph
Visit Wales award winning holiday plans approval expected
In an application recommended for approval at the July 29 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council's planning committee, Mr and Mrs Lewis seek permission for a change of use from serviced holiday lodges to allow hybrid self-catering and serviced holiday lodges at Canaston Oaks, Canaston Bridge, near Narberth. The site has won multiple Visit Wales Gold Awards and wishes to upgrade its existing holiday accommodation to provide both self-catering and serviced catering for customers. A supporting statement through agent Harries Planning Design Management says: 'Canaston Oaks currently offers Gold Award winning five-star luxury accommodation to its customers and is seeking to develop its facilities in line with customer demand, to broaden its overall offer on site. It is strategically located in mid Pembrokeshire off the A40 at Canaston Bridge, forming part of a cluster of tourism attractions and accommodation in the area. 'However, the applicant seeks to offer its customers self-catering in lodges Unit 1 and Unit 2, by incorporating a basic kitchenette. This retrospective proposal is largely due to the geography of local amenities. The closest local supermarkets, restaurants and other amenities are over three miles away. 'Often families and couples staying at their lodges arrive at varying times of the day and night and as such the applicant wishes for their customers to be able to offer self-catering, comparable to their neighbouring Bluestone resort. Further to this, there are no changes proposed externally to allow these units to function as self-catering.' It adds: 'The existing hub building at Canaston Oaks provides breakfast and evening meals to customers on site. However, offering a hybrid form of self-catering and serviced site they would be able to offer more year-round accommodation.' An officer report recommending approval says: 'The application seeks planning permission in retrospect for a hybrid use of two previously approved serviced holiday lodges to be able to be used for serviced or self-catering accommodation. The lodges have been erected and are set around a lake within the established complex known as Canaston Oaks. 'Information provided with the application states that the proposal is due to customer demand and would support the continued use of a Gold Award Winning holiday accommodation business.' It adds: 'Whilst the original development at Canaston Oaks was for the conversion of barns to serviced accommodation, conversion to self-catering accommodation would also have been acceptable in planning policy terms. The lodges were approved as an extension to the existing serviced accommodation, but if the original development had been for self-catering accommodation the lodges would have been an acceptable extension.'
