Holyhead Mega Port Scheme Gets Green Light

by Sash Davies
(North Wales)

Holyhead port on Anglesey has just received the perfect Christmas present after a mega, multi million pound retail and office development was given the green light by the local council planning committee.

The plan driven by the regeneration team in the town is for the Inner Harbour at Holyhead to be converted into a modern development with potential to create hundreds of new jobs.

Holyhead Forward, the local regeneration body, is confident that the development will draw more tourists and shoppers to the town.

It seems the old No8 Ferry Berth Building is considered a prominent eyesore, so the regeneration team commissioned and architects to come up with something more sympathetic.

Given that the location is clearly visible from various directions, it is hugely important that the designers get this right.

For sure it could well become a focal point for the town, given the relatively easy access from the town centre, ferry terminal, and railway station.

Potential funding sources are being actively pursued now that planning approval has been secured.

Coun John Chorlton, chairman of the Holyhead Forward regeneration committee, welcomed the exciting plans for the town and confirmed that funding applications were in place.

One aim is to get the development to take a share of the Irish ferry market, which with around 2m passengers using the port town each year has great financial potential.

When completed this new scheme would be adjacent to and overlook the Celtic Gateway bridge, opened two years ago which links the town and port.

In terms of job creation, Holyhead Forward Board chairman Steve Jones believes the development could generate thousands of jobs in Holyhead when combining the 3 year building phase and those created on completion.

The overall aim is to make Holyhead a retail and leisure destination as well as a major port of entry to Wales.

If any businesses would like to be located at the new development, they shoiuld contact Holyhead Forward while they carry out the feasability study into the scheme.