The South Wales Valleys are one step closer to hosting Wildfox Resorts Afan Valley following the granting of consent for both the Reserved Matters and discharge of conditions applications.
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (CBC) granted consent for the Reserved Matters on Tuesday 8 November 2022 at the planning committee meeting. Consent for a package of conditions was granted on 1 November 2022. The Reserved Matters and discharge of conditions applications follow the outline planning permission being issued on Tuesday January 18 2022.
Martin Bellamy, Chief Executive commented “The consents mark a key milestone in project development and demonstrate our commitment to delivery. I am delighted to be working with Neath Port Talbot CBC on the first of a new generation of adventure resorts, born and based in Wales.”
The development of the Wildfox Resorts Afan Valley site will restore the landscape and revitalise the economy in the heart of the Welsh Valleys. This will establish the Afan Valley as a go-to destination for adventurers and wellness seekers. As well as providing long-term opportunities for local people to live, work, and play in their community and the wider region.
Claire Pearce, Director of Sustainability and Economic Development at Wildfox Resorts commented: “From the outset, we have been committed to working closely with Neath Port Talbot CBC to drive local regeneration in the Afan Valley, creating new opportunities for individuals and families.
"The whole team at Wildfox Resorts is now preparing for the next stage of project development and will continue to put people and planet first by proactively engaging with local businesses and communities, and potential partner organisations to restore and revitalise the area.”
The Leader of Neath Port Talbot CBC, Cllr Stephen Hunt said: “This is a transformational project for the Afan Valley and this region as a whole as it will provide a large number of jobs in the construction phase and when it is finished local people will have many jobs available to them.
“It promises to make the Afan Valley the go-to place for adventure tourists and will also have a spa and wellness offering with many spin-off benefits for Neath Port Talbot.”
Over the winter months when site conditions are challenging, the delivery team will continue to refine the resort design and finalise the procurement and construction programme, ahead of site preparation in Spring 2023.
Due to the nature of the project, construction will be phased over several years. This will give us time to work with local schools, colleges and wider partners on a workforce development strategy that seeks to optimise the use of local labour.
For more information, you can read a summary of the Reserved Matters application which sets out further context as well as the conditions that Wildfox Resorts sought approval for.