What is the Wildfox Resort?

The resort will be the first of its kind in the UK and will offer an active and adrenaline filled escape for all ages who wish to partake in a range of activities including skiing, mountain biking, zip wires, rock climbing and white water rafting to name just a few.  For those looking for a more relaxing experience or at the end of an action packed day, the resort will offer a state of the art spa experience as well as a selection of restaurants, bars and relaxation areas to unwind.  Guests will be able to choose between a range of lodge types and sizes or stay within the 100 bedroom hotel all set within this stunning Welsh valley with easy access to the motorway and rail networks.  Whether you’re a couple wanting to escape the daily grind or a family or group of friends looking for excitement, Wildfox Resort has plenty to offer.

What is their track record of delivery?

Salamanca Group has delivered projects across the globe,  examples include;

• Bulgaria Mall -  One of the largest mixed-use property projects in Bulgaria, 50,000 meters of retail and office space  that was let to  a number of international tenants including Debenhams, Guess and H&M.

• One Ocean Port Vell - Salamanca Group delivered a 5-year transformation programme to create one of the largest superyacht destinations in the Mediterranean.

• Gravity Smart Campus - Owner of a 616 acre site in the South West of England in Somerset, creating the UK’s first smart campus, comprising 1.1million square metres of commercial floorspace and up to 750 homes, to attract international business and enable 7,500 jobs.

Who are the key people behind the new deal?

• Lord David Triesman

• Martin Bellamy

• Peter Moore OBE

• Ben Lloyd

How is planning going to be progressed?

We are bringing in additional capacity and a new Director of Planning and Economic Development to work with the Council and stakeholders to secure the necessary consent to commence the project. The team have been reviewing existing information and recruiting key team members to ensure continuity and enable efficient mobilisation.

Is there finance available to implement the project and where is it from?

A financial deal, subject to planning, has been agreed with a financial institution to enable us to immediately progress with reserved  matters. 

What key companies are behind the Wildfox Resort?

Salamanca Group is a privately-owned Merchant Banking business with a background of co-investing in real estate projects globally, the Group has transacted over $1billion of real estate assets since its inception in 2002.

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Operating across the globe, the Group purchases land, develops sites and buys businesses related to the sector across commercial, residential and retail. Importantly, the Group has an ‘owner, operator and maintainer’ structure to ensure value add to all investment projects.

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Pure Advisory Group is a multi-skillset financial services business head quartered in Cardiff. Pure’s core business model is to primarily focus on UK Real Estate and has extensive experience in the financing and delivery across a wide variety of projects and sectors.

When will it be open?

It would be fantastic to get the resort open in 2024.

Is there any relationship with the former Northern Powerhouse organisation?

No, this is a new team, new companies, new finance, new leadership and operational team, with commitment to deliver and the experience and track record to regenerate the site and achieve positive outcomes on the ground. We have retained certain specialists that we believe add value and ensure the continuity of the project, however, these are not connected to the former owners of the Northern Powerhouse Group.

How will the environmental issues be considered?

The current and undetermined planning application does sensitively consider the environment and how the site can be regenerated and enhanced. The team are working hard to evaluate the submission and look for opportunities to strengthen and improve the outcomes for the community as well as the environment.

What benefits are there for the local community?

The Wildfox Resorts team have experience in regeneration projects that have genuine ambitions for host communities to benefit from them. We will be working to ensure there is a Business  and Skills Charter to maximise the use of local communities throughout the supply chain. We would aim to provide residents with the opportunity to secure training, development, and employment at the resort and in the supply chain.