PLANS to develop Milford Marina into a hot-spot for visitors will no longer centre on retail, instead focusing on leisure, housing and office space.

The Port of Milford Haven has submitted a revised version of its multi-million pound master plan to Pembrokeshire County Council.

In 2015, outline planning was granted for a major overhaul of the area – known as Milford Waterfront – with a retail food store at its heart.

This week, the Port has revealed a new direction for its £70million project, which it estimates will create around 600 full-time jobs.

The changes include more residential property – up to 190 units – extended office space, and a large indoor leisure facility.

Plans for a care home on site are out, while hotel floorspace increases five-fold to accommodate a second ‘upmarket hotel’.

Restaurant space will also shrink by 63 per cent.

Changes to the proposed entrance to the development will also see the Grade II-listed Old Docks building saved from demolition.

A Port spokesman said: “The previous plans were centred largely around a retail development but as a result of market changes the development will now be leisure-led and the food retail store has been replaced with a large indoor leisure facility, offering an interactive digitally-led experience for all ages which will be open all year round.

“A second upmarket hotel has been added in line with the desire to create a leisure and tourist destination and a high quality restaurant on stilts is envisaged for the north end of the marina, which can be accessed from the marina or from the quayside.”

Neil Jenkins, development director, said the Port was “now in a position to deliver a fantastic development in a unique waterfront setting which will provide huge economic benefits to the Pembrokeshire and Welsh economies”.

He added: “Work has already started on site for a new Costa Coffee Drive-Thru at Milford Waterfront, a new visitor centre has been opened within the museum and later this year we’ll be launching a new holiday let overlooking the Haven as well as four Floatel Cabins in the marina with terraces overlooking the water.

"It’s an exciting time for the area and we look forward to receiving feedback from the local authority.”

Milford Mercury:

The Milford Waterfront development is set to create over 700 jobs during the construction and operational phases and result in an additional £9 million in visitor spend.   

The planning application can be viewed on Pembrokeshire County Council’s website at pembrokeshire.gov.uk

For more details see Thursday’s Milford Mercury.