Castell Group, in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council, have completed the sale for the redevelopment of the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel site.

The site in Pembroke Dock was acquired by Castell unconditionally in April 2024.

Planning and Sustainable Drainage Approving Body approval has since been secured, enabling completion to be finalised and move to the next phase in bringing the site back to life.

The site has been vacant following a fire in 2019, which left the building badly damaged and a blight on the local landscape.

An artist impression of the proposed development at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel site. Picture: Castell Group Property Specialists.
An artist impression of the proposed development at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel site (Picture: Castell Group Property Specialists) (Pic: Castell Group Property Specialists.)

Pembrokeshire County Council has stated that the new development is set to revitalise the site, bringing fresh investment and economic benefits to the area.

Utilising social housing grant from Welsh Government, the site will develop 35 much needed social rented homes to the area.

These 35 homes will range in size and consist of various affordable housing, such as social, supported, and intermediate rent.

All properties will be owned and rented by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Dorian Payne, Managing Director at Castell Group said: “We are delighted to reach this critical stage in the redevelopment of the Cleddau Bridge Hotel site.

“We are excited to move forward with the construction in collaboration with Pembrokeshire County Council.”

The announcement of the completion of the contracts between Castell Group and Pembrokeshire County Council’s demonstrates both parties’ commitment to delivering high-quality housing and bringing brownfield sites back into use.

The project is expected to break ground shortly.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This site has been derelict since the fire in 2019 so it’s fantastic news that it will now be developed into high quality affordable housing.

“We are committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and this development, in one of our largest towns, will play a part in meeting the demand for housing in Pembrokeshire.”

Cllr Joshua Beynon, county councillor for the ward, remarked: “I am really pleased to see the Council developing this piece of land that has been left as an eyesore since it caught fire some years ago. Housing is what we need and I’m really pleased to see it happening here.”

Anyone interested in applying for one of the homes will need to have an up-to-date housing application.

If you have any queries please email the Customer Liaison Team at [email protected] or phone them on 01437 764551, or view Housing’s Facebook page: ‘Pembrokeshire County Council Housing Services’

Cleddau Hotel fire
Firefighters at the scene of the fire at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel (Pic. Martin Cavaney)

In a prime location at one of the entrances to Pembroke Dock the building has been a derelict site since the fire in March 2019, which brought emergency services from as far afield as Ammanford, Aberystwyth and Swansea.

Back in December, the recommendation of approval for the deveopment was moved by Pembroke Dock county councillor Tony Wilcox, seconded by fellow Dock county councillor Brian Hall, who said: “I can remember it being built, probably the same as Tony, it was the hotel to go to for events and dances, especially New Year’s Eve; I remember the fire and services being called.”