The first timber frames for 80 new lodges has arrived at Bluestone National Park Resort as the latest figures show 75% of Welsh tourism businesses saw an increase or maintained visitor levels over the May half term. The delivery of the first timber frame is part of a £23million expansion development.
Bluestone is witnessing a significant increase in bookings from pre-pandemic levels with the new development plans catering for a growing demand for luxury lodge accommodation for short breaks in areas of natural beauty. The Wales Tourism Business Barometer also shows visitor numbers were up 25% compared to prepandemic levels, with restaurants, pubs and cafes enjoying a busy Jubilee bank holiday weekend as 38% of hospitality businesses experienced more customers than usual.
"We know there's growing demand for a sustainable luxury tourism product in Wales and we're confident we can meet the need for an ecologically sound product in natural surroundings," said Marten Lewis, Head of Sustainability at Bluestone National Park Resort. "Sustainability is a key aspect across all the decisions on the design and build. Along with the promotion of health and wellbeing, sustainability has always formed an integral part of Bluestone's business operations and will continue to do so as we move forward."
Timber and other sustainable materials have been used in the design and construction of the 'Platinum' lodges which will be heated by air-source heat pumps.
Welshpool-based SJ Roberts Construction will be the main contractors during the project, while the timber frames will be manufactured by sister company Lowfield Timber Frames with the remainder of the supply chain being carefully selected to ensure a quality build is guaranteed, while aiming to use as many local suppliers as possible.
All timber used is PEFC-certified, with full chain of custody. The new lodges are the fourth phase of expansion plans for the resort near Narberth in Pembrokeshire, which currently has 344 existing lodges, cottages and studio apartments across 500 acres of rolling Pembrokeshire countryside.
The lodges will be officially opened in the summer of 2023.
