Particulars detailing a prospective 80 bed Hotel/Motel yards from the famous golden sands at Pembrey – Cefn Sidan have been published on the website of Carmarthenshire County Council. pembrey-hotel-particulars-english
The council are seeking expressions of interest from experienced developers / tourism accommodation operators to create the 80 bed mid range temporary hotel / motel.
They say that this unique offering is situated in Pembrey Country Park, which is firmly established as one of Wales’ top visitor attractions.
There have already been howls of protests on social media as some people question why the council would wish to develop an area so close to the beach, which has traditionally been seen as one of the last bastions of peace and tranquility along the coast having views of the Gower coast and having been religiously protected by campaigns in the past such as ‘Save Our Sands’.
Some question the issue of waste water and sewage from the development.
The development principles listed on the document include:
Circa 80 bed demountable tourism accommodation
Short term ground lease – no more than 15 years
Ground rent with profit share uplift
Open for trade Spring 2018
The Country Park itself has not been without its share of controversy in recent years including the unfair dismissal of the manager of the ski centre, Eirian Morris, the assault on the catering manager Stephanie Thomas and the termination of the catering contract for Ms Thomas, which is allegedly subject to a legal battle with the council.
The former harbourmaster was ordered to pay financial penalties and costs totalling almost £1,000 at Llanelli Magistrates Court in October 2016.
Dickinson, of Cliff Terrace, Burry Port, who also acted as park manager at Pembrey Country Park, pleaded guilty to assaulting the former catering franchise holder at Pembrey, Stephanie Thomas. At a previous hearing, Dickinson had entered a not guilty plea and a trial was scheduled for this afternoon. 59 -year-old Dickinson was captured on CCTV grabbing Stephanie Thomas by the arm and pushing her up the stairs, where Ms Thomas says she was compelled to sign tender documents.
Much has been written about the Gold Coast Masterplan in local media including stories of bogus businessmen being shown around the park with promises to create a top class golf course.
Eirian Morris also alleged irregularities at Pembrey County Park and other Council leisure facilities and that senior council officers were made aware of them and took steps to cover them up.
It appears that some people are already mobilising for battle. Anne Morgan posts on the Pembrey Country Park Appreciation Society Facebook page, which has 745 members: “I am in total shock horror after reading this story. I attended the SOS campaign all those years ago to save Cefn Sidan from becoming a bombing range. And I recall the celebrations of winning that fight, I believe we may have another campaign on our hands again everyone if we want to save our country park as it stands now, otherwise we all know what will happen they will build the hotel, then they will need other facilities to go with it and low and behold we will be long have a natural beautiful country park but a holiday village that none of us will be allowed into. A public meeting should definitely have been called as it will affect all residents and council tax payers. Can Shirley Brett Matthews, Amanda Fox, John James, and any others please advise further. Someone must know something!”
Another issue appears to be that the public believe that they have not been consulted over the plans.
Developments along the seafront are not unheard of and millions of pounds in tourism revenue boosts the economy where accommodation is provided for visitors. Llanelli and for that matter Carmarthenshire has a severe shortage of hotel/motel accommodation.
This is definitely one to watch.
