Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Gwel-An-Mor

A holiday village at Portreath is looking to create 120 jobs as part of a £25 million expansion plan that features a dry ski slope and a nine-hole golf course.Gwel an Mor announced this week that it was also aiming to build an equestrian centre and regenerate 50 acres of agricultural land.

This would pave for the way for organic farm produce to be grown for two new restaurants and a farm shop that are planned for the village at Tregea Hill.

Leaders of the scheme say the proposed development would inject more than £3 million a year into the local economy, according to research by tourism chiefs.

The ambitious plans, which also include a conference centre, fishing lakes and a spa, follow a deal struck with Duchy College for the sale of the adjacent Feadon Farm to Gwel an Mor, adding 140 acres to the site.

The holiday village says it aims to continue the college's animal care facilities, making them and all the planned leisure pursuits available to the community "at preferential rates wherever possible".

The proposed equestrian centre would have stabling for 30 horses while the state-of-the-art conference facility would have seating for more than 200 people.

The £5 million first phase of Gwel an Mor opened last year on the former Sunlands site with 28 luxury holiday lodges, a gym, swimming pool and spa pool plus a children's adventure playground, croquet lawn and putting green.

A further 32 lodges are being built at the holiday village.

Damian Hall, its general manager, stressed that in order to compete with other holiday destinations in Europe and around the world, Cornwall "must offer much more".

He said: "Our plans will deliver such a wide-ranging mix of activities and high standard of accommodation.

"Allied to the natural beauty of the area and the traditional friendliness of the Cornish, holiday-makers will have a real decision to make - whether they need to travel abroad."

A consultation on the scheme ended at the weekend with an open day for the public and a meeting of local business people.

Nigel Tipple, chief executive of CPR Regeneration and a guest at the event, said: "This is an exciting development, which complements the activity promoted within the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area. These proposals demonstrate the confidence of the private sector to invest in the area, create employment and strengthen the overall leisure offer."

Barbara Ellenbroek, of the Federation of Small Businesses and CPR Regeneration board, said: "I am very impressed with this development, which will enhance the whole Camborne, Pool and Redruth area. The combination of good quality accommodation and all-year-round leisure facilities is just what we need."

Gwel an Mor said a planning application would be submitted shortly.