Bluestone “SkyDome” leisure complex plans approved

Plans for a £7m “SkyDome” at the Bluestone National Park Resort have been unanimously approved by Pembrokeshire County Council.The 75,000 sq ft sports and leisure facility, designed by Holder Mathias Architects, will rise to 18 metres at its highest point and will be used by visitors to the resort.The application states: “The structure will not be fully sealed to ensure the area retains a feeling of outdoors whilst providing the necessary shelter. Linked to the unpredictable nature of the weather … the facility will comprise an essential element of the resort’s offer as an all year attraction.”The structure would not be fully sealed and would be translucent, allowing temperate trees and shrubs to be established, creating a feeling of being outdoors whilst providing the necessary shelter.”The proposed development will provide a variety of activities, services and facilities, many with a close association to nature and the environment, for example the following: restaurants, toilet facilities, soap box derby, creative crafts area, shops, water, mud and sand play, zip coaster tower, slides and play equipment, tree house play, amphitheatre, musical garden, caving and assault course.”According to Bluestone, the SkyDome will support 72 jobs over its 13 month construction phase and bring in £6.4m into the West Wales economy, with 56 new jobs during normal opening, with a contribution of £2.96m to the West Wales economy.The land on which the SkyDome will be built is just outside of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park boundary and is currently arable land, most recently used for biomass fuel for the resort itself.