Cyngor Gwynedd Assets Plan to invest in Hafan Pwllheli

Cyngor Gwynedd will invest more than £5 million over the next ten years to enable Hafan Pwllheli's marina provision to continue to benefit the local economy.

Pwllheli Hafan and Harbour attract thousands of pounds to the local economy annually and support dozens of high value jobs in Pwllheli and the wider area.

At its meeting on 11 July 2024, members of Cyngor Gwynedd agreed to adopt the Assets Plan 2024/25-2034/35, which gives the green light to capital expenditure so the Council can manage its vital assets - which include Hafan Pwllheli amongst a number of other projects - and avoid the risk of failing to provide services. A capital grant is received from the Welsh Government for asset expenditure.

Councillor ⁠Nia Jeffreys, Cyngor Gwynedd's Cabinet Member for Economy and Community said: "Hafan Pwllheli brings more than £3 million of economic benefit to the Pwllheli area annually and supports more than 50 full-time, high-value jobs. Without a doubt, spending to keep the provision up to the expected standard is value for money, and particularly important for the local economy in the Dwyfor area.

"With the number of annual customers having increased since 2019 the future bodes well for the Hafan. Indeed, the Hafan staff tell me there is a waiting list of more than 200 for a space in the marina itself and 94% of the Outer Harbour berths are full."

The harbour mouth, channel and inner harbour at Pwllheli are silting and filling up with mud as a result of natural processes. As part of the plan, the Council intends to earmark a portion of the £5.4 million package on dredging the harbour. Without undertaking this work there is a risk that navigation sailing boats will not have safe access in and out of the Harbour over the next five to ten years due to increased sedimentation.

Another portion of the money is earmarked for the renovation of the pontoons that have reached the end of their lifespan. There have been examples of marinas in other parts of the country where boats have been significantly damaged during storms due to deficiencies in resources. 

Councillor Nia Jeffreys added: "Hafan's main structures, namely the pontoons and poles, have passed their design lifespan and without this investment to maintain standards over the next ten years, there is a risk that we will not keep up with the market and customers would leave.

“This would be a devastating blow to the economy of the Pwllheli area with jobs that rely on the marine and wider visitor industry at risk. 

"The reality also is that Cyngor Gwynedd is making a profit from the marina – during 2023/24, £700,000 was raised. Generating income through fees is a key part of our financial strategy and protects vital services the people of Gwynedd rely on from being cut even further.

"We recognise the importance of harbours along the Gwynedd coast, which are important to local communities and the area's economy".

This investment runs concurrently with a long-term strategy that has recently been prepared. Consultants have engaged with local stakeholders to regenerate the Marina, Harbour and North Quay area, and following the announcement work streams and commercial opportunities will be worked on to realise elements of the strategy.