Work has restarted at a £250m development in south Wales after the exciting project was paused for a number of months. Work initially began at the new Wildfox adventure holiday resort in the Afan Valley at the end of May, but stopped just a few months later in August.
Wildfox Resorts said at the time that will on-site activity came to an end until 2024, they would be focusing on “workforce development”, “heritage” and expanding its “social value initiatives.” When asked if work had re-started on the site again in February, the company confirmed that it had, but has not provided any further details about the development’s current stages.
The multi-million pound resort being built is located on 318 acres of land around Croeserw, near the border between Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend County Borough – an area that is historically significant to coal mining. For the latest Neath Port Talbot news, sign up to our newsletter here.
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With construction taking place in stages the resort is expected to open in 2027, and will feature 570 lodges and 130 apartments and rooms. Guests will also have access to indoor and outdoor adventure activities, including wild swimming, mountain biking, hiking, canyoning, bouldering, and more.
The resort will offer a state-of-the-art spa and a wellbeing programme which will including activities, events and pop up experiences. The goal of Wildfox Resorts Group is to develop lifestyle resorts that foster “memorable experiences”.
The project received planning permission from Neath Port Talbot Council in 2022, and it is hoped to be a catalyst for a new wave of employment and tourism in the South Wales valleys, with more than 1,000 jobs promised to be available by the time it reopens. The company has estimated that it will contribute around £30m to the local economy and become a project of national importance.
A spokesperson for Wildfox told WalesOnline: “The team continue to work on the Wildfox project and see it as an important part of the regeneration of the Afan Valley post coal mining and forestry.
“Wildfox are working with the council on promoting the area as a destination for leisure and wellbeing and we feel strongly that we can assist and support the wider economic restructuring and transformation of South Wales, providing jobs for the community and creating an asset to encourage other investors to the area to provide services to their workforce.
“During the Winter months we were delighted to hold a community heritage event to celebrate pride in the Afan Valley and we have been preparing the necessary habitat management plans for council approval. We link to our heritage film for your awareness.
“We will be working with the college this year on developing skills in the community and continue to support 6 local schools through our 2B enterprising programme. The college are the communications lead on this and can be contacted at [email protected].”