19/2/2007

Two of Wales' most interesting historic buildings are up for sale.

Expressions of interest are being invited for Pembroke Dock's impressive Garrison Chapel, the centrepiece of the Royal Dockyard, and the attractive Town Market.

Both have been magnificently restored as part of a Townscape Heritage Scheme, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Welsh Assembly Government, Cadw and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Designed by naval architect George Ledwell Taylor, the Grade II* listed Garrison Chapel is believed to be the only surviving classical Georgian Church in South Wales.

It was built by the Admiralty in 1830 as a place of worship for its employees in the dockyard. Although the dockyard closed in 1926, the chapel continued to be used for worship and later as a theatre and cinema.

The restoration of Grade II* structure (527 sq. metres) has already attracted much interest.

It was visited by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, and separately by Prince Edward, during its restoration.

It also helped Pembroke Dock to win the maximum Townscape Heritage Grant available, and has won several awards, including the CLAW Building of the Year commendation in 2006.

The adjoining Town Market was, for many years, the focus of life in the dockyard town.

As well as its market function, it also housed the Town Court and was used for entertainment such as the visiting Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in the heyday of the Dockyard.

Now fully restored, the Grade II structure (2,317 sq. metres) together with an adjoining 1.9 acre development site, offers a substantial development potential.

Together, the renovation of the Garrison Chapel and the Town Market are helping to turn around the fortunes of this waterside town, where a long-depressed economy is now beginning to enjoy a period of sustained optimism and investment.

"The restoration of these two hugely important buildings is at the heart of a multi-million pound regeneration scheme for Pembroke Dock," said Councillor Brian Hall, local county councillor and Chairman of the Pembroke Dock Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Both buildings are close to the town waterfront, where plans for a £100 million marina development are well advanced.

Major new investment in the gas and energy industry is also taking place in the town, and efforts are continuing to diversify the local economy.

"The growth in confidence is shown by events over the last decade and public investment,â" said Councillor Hall.

"Both Tesco and Asda are now well-established, the £11 million Technium is in the final stages of completion, and there has been major investment into the town hospital over the last 18 months in order to secure its long-term future."

The County Council is inviting initial expressions of interest in the Garrison Chapel and Pembroke Dock Town Market.

It will be looking for proposals which best repay its investment by offering uses which will secure the long term future of these buildings and benefit the town.

For further details, contact Pembrokeshire County Council Principal Valuer Hugh Watson on 01437 775880 or email: hugh.watson@pembrokeshire.gov.uk