Haverfordwest Castle Feasibility Study and Delivery Plan
Client: Pembrokeshire County Council
Pembrokeshire County Council commissioned PSC to carry out a heritage feasibility study and prepare a delivery plan (including concept sketches) to transform Haverfordwest Castle, including the Gaol, Governor’s House (incorporating the Town Museum), and Inner Bailey, into a heritage-based visitor attraction that acts as a gateway to Pembrokeshire.
A key driver for the project is regenerating the town centre. The County town needs regeneration, and the client team recognises that a strong culture and arts focus in town centre regeneration has been successfully used in other locations, both in Wales and further afield. Developing a flagship visitor attraction will strengthen Haverfordwest’s distinctiveness and character and will be a powerful catalyst for regeneration, acting as a magnet for local people and tourists and boosting footfall and economic activity within the town.
Our work included: Research and analysis, which led to the production of a Statement of Significance for the collections and buildings. This phase also included a review of the residential and tourism markets and the competitive landscape; an assessment of case examples, which focused on the transformation of castles and heritage buildings; a programme of extensive consultation to identify opportunities, redlines and potential delivery partnership arrangements; and development options of different forms and scales were identified and assessed (including associated visitor accommodation). For the preferred development option, we produced architectural concept sketches. The required level of detail was equivalent to RIBA Stage 1.
Evaluating the preferred option helped define the project’s benefits and viability. This considered ownership, demand, and capital investment requirements, leading to a robust financial model that sets out income and costs. A delivery plan for the preferred option was prepared, identifying key funding opportunities. The delivery plan outlined a suite of coordinated actions to deliver the preferred proposal. The feasibility study and business case also considered the funding environment
Working in a multidisciplinary team with Pembrokeshire County Council, we latterly supported an application to the Levelling Up Fund. The application was successful and secured £17.7m, which will support the economic development of Haverfordwest, with a particular focus on developing Haverfordwest Castle to create a vibrant heritage attraction. See some of the other castle and fort projects we have worked on.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like to discuss our work, please don’t hesitate to call Richard Linington on 07866 742628 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk