Work has begun on the £110m Bluestone eco-resort project in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Bluestone aims to become the first of a new generation of holiday village, catering for the more discerning visitor and targeting the higher end of the market. It will be one of the UK’s only holiday villages located in a coastal location and in a national park.
The development of the 1 million sq ft leisure, retail and holiday accommodation proposals, set in 500 acres, is being built around a central village.
The development will include a 4,000sq m waterpark, a health and fitness centre, health spa and a sports club.
Other facilities will include a snow centre and guests will be able to enjoy a range of adventure sports, such as climbing, abseiling, cliff jumping, white water rafting, jet skiing and water skiing.
Accommodation will be provided by 335 luxury log cabins set in woodland as well as 30 two bedroom terraced cottages and 30 fully serviced open plan studio apartments.
Bluestone hopes that the development will attract up to 100,000 visitors annually while the sites two all-weather facilities are each anticipated to attract an additional 250,000 day visitors a year.
Andrew Davies, minister for enterprise, innovation and networks said: “It is the ultimate indigenous sustainable business. the concept was conceived in Wales – it is being developed in Wales, delivered by Welsh people, provide jobs for local people, benefit Welsh businesses and promote our distinct Welsh culture and heritage internationally.
“This is a flagship project for Wales, which will set new standards of quality and become a beacon for eco-tourism and sustainable development within the UK.”
The project will receive £14.5million in grant aid from the Welsh Assembly Government and £4m investment from Finance Wales, alongside an initial £41million cash funding package from Mansford Holdings Plc and Bank of Scotland Corporate.
Further funding is provided by equity investors William McNamara and Sir Edward Dashwood, and Pembrokeshire County Council is providing a loan. Together, the investment will bring wide reaching, long term benefits to Wales.
