Wales' biggest fort museum given go-ahead

7:30pm Thursday 25th October 2007

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A visitor attraction which will house the largest military museum in Wales has been given the go ahead by Pembrokeshire Coast and National Park this week.

The trustees of a fort used during World War I to protect the Haven have been granted permission to restore the buildings to their former glory and create a museum which will not only be the biggest in Wales but also the most comprehensive in the UK.

The Chapel Bay Fort is a scheduled ancient monument half a mile north of Angle, Pembroke, and has great historical importance. It is the last of the large forts constructed in the waterway and the first in the world to be constructed mainly of concrete.

The trustees will now begin the process of completing the conservation and restoration of the fort to the appearance it would have had in the early 1900s, which can be used as and educational resource and visitor attraction.

County councillor for Neyland east, Simon Hancock, said: "It's an amazing site, and the applicant is very committed and knowledgeable individual."

Applicant, George Geear said: "We are of course very pleased. It will provide local employment and it will be a great asset to tourism and people interested in cultural heritage."

There are a number of buildings and structures on the site, including gun emplacements, some with the original style guns in place, original troop accommodation, communications building, the Master Gunner's House and an underground storage area for ammunition.