Saundersfoot Harbour to be redeveloped

Pembrokeshire has secured over £600,000 worth of funding in a bid to redevelop the iconic Saundersfoot Harbour.

The funds, secured from European regional funds, are being awarded in a bid to boost tourism in the area and local jobs. The announcement came on 8th January as First Minister Carwyn Jones visited the harbour.

‘£4m scheme’

Those who visit the area on seaside Pembrokeshire cottage holidays will be keen to learn of the development plans, where this funding marks the first part of a ‘£4m scheme to boost tourism and jobs in the town’ according to this BBC article.

The first £463,000 has been awarded by European Regional Development Funding, with £200,000 set to come from the Tourism Infrastructure Support Scheme fund. The rest of the funding for the first phase of project, which is set to cost £900,000, is to come from the harbour commission, who will then put any profits made back into the harbour.

Plans for the funding include the building of almost half a kilometre of walkways that are intended to link new facilities and a dry racking area for storage. It is also hoped that a heritage trail will be established as a part of the development, in which families in child-friendly Saundersfoot cottages can enjoy learning about the local coastal history.

First Minister Jones told the Tenby Observer newspaper of the project, “I’m delighted to make this announcement and to see the plans that the Harbour Commission has for future development”. The final cost for redevelopment of the town and harbour are expected to total £4m, with completion of the Saundersfoot Harbour project expected in the spring of this year.

The project extends that of Visit Wales’ existing coastal tourism activity, which is funded via the EU Coastal Tourism Project, where it is hoped that the developments will improve Saundersfoot and further establish its status as an iconic tourism destination for South West Wales.

This content was written by Emily Bray. Please feel free to visit my Google+ profile to read more stories.