Margam Park
HISTORIC Margam Park could be in for a multi-million pound overhaul.
Council chiefs have started a search for private developers to transform it into a national tourist attraction and are inviting ideas for sport and leisure, education, retail, catering and special events. Potential developers are also being asked to put forward proposals for tourist accommodation and corporate hospitality.
"We have no specific proposals in mind," said council head of regeneration Gareth Nutt. "Instead we are asking developers to consider what the opportunities might be in Margam Park and then come back to us with ideas that the council can consider."
The 300-hectare attraction is already a regional draw and boasts attractions including a narrow-gauge railway, a world-famous deer herd, a farm trail, a fairytale village, lakes, woods and open parkland.
New additions include the Go Ape high wire course, which has been a huge hit since opening, along with the Discovery Centre and a new cycle hire service run by the Friends of Margam Park. Margam Orangery is a popular venue for functions and Margam Castle was at one stage touted as the home of a national photography museum before those plans fell through.
Now the council has begun a market sounding exercise and says it is looking to attract organisations with a proven track record of delivering prestigious leisure developments.
Council leader Ali Thomas said: "Margam Park is a much-loved destination, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year. However, we recognise that there is potential within the park that could further enhance its popularity and provide the county with one of the country's premier attractions and destinations. We are very excited by this and are confident it will bring forward a developer that will realise the park's full potential."
Potential developers have been given until January 18 to come up with proposals, with the council saying it only wants ideas that would compliment the unique landscape and heritage settings.
Mr Nutt said: "If we like any of them we will enter into detailed discussions with the interested parties and hopefully come up with some viable propositions. We realise this might take some time. We are not looking for a quick fix but long-term, viable solutions."
For more information visit www.npt.gov.uk/margammarketsounding
South Wales Evening Post, Saturday 19 September 2009.
