Morgan Sindall Construction has reached a key milestone in the project to rejuvenate Haverfordwest Castle and renovate the Grade II listed gaol building which sits within the walls.
The gaol building, which is more than two centuries old and covers 800m2, has had a full replacement of its two-level roof structure and undergone major works to stabilise the building’s core structure. It will soon be entering the next phase of the project which will see it transformed into a flagship visitor attraction for the county, telling the story of Pembrokeshire over 3 floors of interactive, hands-on and immersive exhibits.
The redevelopment will include a new café serving delicious locally sourced food, a shop with a range of local and bespoke products, free-to-access grounds with new interpretation of the site, and a 500-seat outdoor events space which will host a range of community-friendly events in the summer months including fairs and markets.
Morgan Sindall, the tier one contractor currently working on site, was appointed through the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework (SWWRCF) on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC). The current construction phase of this multi-dimensional heritage project will see Morgan Sindall and its project partners protect the structure of the medieval fortress and upgrade the spaces within its grounds.
A replacement wooden frame and slate tiles have been used on the main section of the gaol building’s roof, and a cladding system has been used over the lower section. Both sections have also incorporated zinc cladding, bringing the spaces up to modern standards.
Other work completed on the gaol building includes repairs to the thick stone walls, careful demolition and removal of non-heritage protected debris, and the installation of new drainage and flooring.
As a Scheduled Monument, any preservation work on the Castle site is carefully controlled by Cadw – the Welsh Government’s agency for protection of heritage sites. The Castle’s original walls, which date from the 1120s, are being carefully strengthened and the stonework repointed by experts as part of the project, which was funded as part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s successful £17.7m levelling-up bid to UK Government.
Following extensive archaeological excavations in the Castle’s Inner Bailey area, the drainage system has been replaced, footpaths have been made accessible to all, and the area is being landscaped. When the site is reopened, it will operate as a flexible event space, capable of hosting open-air theatre and markets.
In line with Morgan Sindall’s commitment to operate in as sustainable a way as possible, and to support the Welsh government’s Social Value Key Performance Indicators, the team has been taking part in Morgan Sindall’s 10 Tonne Carbon Challenge. They have worked collaboratively across the supply chain to reduce the carbon emissions of the project by at least 10 tonnes. The project has already far exceeded this target, achieving a saving of 230.5 tonnes of CO₂ across four stages of the project so far, the equivalent of heating 86 UK homes for a year.
Furthermore, to avoid any of the stonework debris removed from the site going into landfill, it was donated to Walters Group, a local civil engineering company and much of it has been used to repair areas of Castle Back steps, improving the linkway between the Castle and Haverfordwest town centre. Sections of roofing that were still structurally sound were recycled and chipped for a number of local horse training facilities for them to use for bedding. The 1960s hardwood staircase, which was part of the archives, has been stored off site by Pembrokeshire Supported Employmeht Programme who will turn it into furniture for the site’s new café.
Morgan Sindall has focussed on delivering as much social value to the area during the project as possible. A key element of this has been supporting local businesses. As a result, eight local businesses have been employed as part of the project so far including two Haverfordwest companies, Coe Stone and SJB, who were involved in conservation work including stone cleaning and repairs.
The contractor and its project partners, which include Atkins Realis engineering, Roger Casey Associates consulting civil & structural engineers, and DB3 architects, have also been working to enhance the skills and career aspirations of young people in the community.
Ten apprentices have worked on the project, and five young people have been given work experience placements via Pembrokeshire College and Futureworks, a local initiative to help people improve their employability.
Students from Pembrokeshire College, Swansea University, Coleg Sir Gar and local primary schools have all visited the site to develop their understanding of the construction industry and learn about it as a potential career opportunity. These young Castle Ambassadors will continue to have a relationship with the project in the next phase of works, helping to shape and co-create aspects of the exhibition and schools activity programme.
To support the community, Morgan Sindall has donated money and supplies to a charity which has a base on the edge of the castle’s grounds. The Men Shed is a charity which encourages people to come together, recycle, and repair furniture and other items, and in doing so, reduce loneliness and isolation. A financial donation has also been made to a local wood turning club, another community organisation in the town.
Rob Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, said: “It has been a real responsibility and privilege to work with Pembrokeshire County Council on delivering such a nationally significant project.
“We work on a lot of heritage projects and have developed a clear and robust process to ensure that we protect these incredibly important buildings and give them a new lease of life.
“Haverfordwest Castle and its grounds will deliver so much more value to the local community and visiting tourists than just being a historical landmark once the project is completed. The structure of the castle itself will be more secure, it will have an event space, and now the roof has successfully been completed, a visitor centre which lives and breathes history. All of which will be fully accessible to everyone.”
Cllr Thomas Tudor, County Councillor for the “Castle Ward” of Haverfordwest, said: “Haverfordwest Castle is without doubt the Jewel in the Crown for the County Town of Pembrokeshire, and I am so pleased that the redevelopment of the Castle is gaining momentum. Its brilliant news that Morgan Sindall Construction has reached a key milestone in the £15m project to rejuvenate Haverfordwest Castle with the new roof now in place. The future is looking very positive for Haverfordwest, which can be enjoyed by tourists and residents alike.”
The project is due for completion in summer 2027.
