Millions of pounds have been awarded this week to Pembrokeshire to support the regeneration of its town centres.
Pembrokeshire County Council has welcomed the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement that its grant application to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund has been successful.
The Council has been awarded £17.7m to support the economic development of Haverfordwest, and a share of £19.9m to support its regeneration work at South Quay in Pembroke.
The two grant awards are the biggest of ten schemes receiving LUF funding in Wales.
Both schemes sit within the Council’s wider regeneration strategy for Pembrokeshire. Cllr Paul Miller, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development, said today’s announcement was fantastic news.
“Regenerating the key towns of Haverfordwest and Pembroke has been a priority for me and this administration since we started. We’ve spent a number of years strategically acquiring property, and developing detailed plans and business cases to support investment,” he said.
“I’m pleased to say that as a result of those efforts we’ve successfully secured £17.7m in Economic Development funding for Haverfordwest (providing the investment we needed to improve and enhance the castle and link it properly to the town). In addition, we’ve been awarded a share of £19.9m to support our ambitions for phase 2 of the South Quay site in Pembroke.
“These funding awards now mean we have the resources we need to implement the key elements of our plan to transform the fortunes of both towns.
“My thanks go to all those involved in putting together the formal bids. It’s a great example this, of working together, irrespective of political boundaries, for the benefit of Pembrokeshire. The Welsh Government have been incredibly supportive throughout (including with funding) and now the UK Government too, have bought in to, and significantly invested in, our plans for the future of Pembrokeshire.
“This is a really significant milestone on our regeneration journey.”
The £17.7m awarded to the regeneration of Haverfordwest will support the ongoing improvement work at Haverfordwest Castle as well as:
- the creation of a vibrant outdoor performance space
- renovation of the gaol in preparation for a flagship visitor attraction
- a perimeter walk and further green infrastructure enhancements.
The funding will also support the enhancement of the town centre through the creation of an architecturally stunning ‘signature bridge’ between the clock tower on the Riverside and the Western Quayside development (formerly Ocky White) where work is underway to restore and redevelop the building. The funding will also help create an improved access from the town centre to the castle.
The second LUF award of £4.1m has been made for the South Quay development in Pembroke. This award forms part of a joint bid submitted from the Carmarthen West/ South Pembrokeshire constituency.
The Council proposes to create a community hub within phase 2 of the South Quay development currently underway, and public realm improvements nearby. The scheme would mirror a similar development proposed by West Carmarthenshire.
“The core investment in local landmarks and facilities contributes significantly to the place making, economic development, regeneration and transformation of Pembrokeshire,” said Dr Steven Jones, Director of Community Resources.
“New town centre facilities are fundamental to increasing footfall in Pembrokeshire towns and promoting community confidence, new growth and prosperity in a post-Covid environment.
“Both programmes are considered to be manageable, deliverable and will lever a high value for money return against any matched contribution by Pembrokeshire County Council/local partners/further grant sources.”
Cllr Tom Tudor, County Councillor for the Castle ward in Haverfordwest, also welcomed the news.
“I am very excited that the LUF offers an important opportunity to make a significant change for the wider regeneration plans for Haverfordwest through infrastructure improvements that will revitalise its key heritage and cultural assets, including Haverfordwest’s 900 year old Castle which together with the new Castle Square and Castle Lake link, can only further develop and enhance this part of the town,” he said.
“I see Levelling Up Funding support for Haverfordwest Town Centre facilitating it to become a multi-functional place for all, offering a place to live, work, play and visit, and I am very hopeful for the future development of Haverfordwest also to become a focal point for tourists and locals.”
Cllr Aaron Carey, County Councillor for Pembroke St Mary South which includes the South Quay site, welcomed the news, saying:
“It’s fantastic news that the levelling up fund will be helping develop the South Quay even further than expected. By introducing an additional offering to the town we can move towards our full potential and offer people, local and visitors alike, reasons to stay in our beautiful town for longer.”
