Cornish firm will help transform Welsh port

ACORNISH architecture firm has been appointed to work on one of Wales’ largest development projects – the £100million transformation of Holyhead.

Truro-based CAD Architects, one of the leading architectural practices in the South West, will work on the ambitious scheme, now opens for public consultation, which aims to regenerate economic activity by stimulating local businesses whilst attracting visitors, tourists and new residents to the Isle of Anglesey.

CAD Architects was appointed by the company leading the project, Conygar Holyhead Limited, after they viewed the successful waterfront development projects that the practice has carried out in Falmouth.

CAD Architects’ managing director Mark Dawes said: “This is fantastic news for our business, building our presence on the national stage and bringing financial benefit back to Cornwall.

“It recognises the excellent portfolio of work we have already carried out, both in Cornwall and around the rest of the country.”

The proposed Holyhead Waterfront Redevelopment Scheme will incorporate a 250-berth marina, amphitheatre, promenade and gardens, together with more than 250 homes.

There are also two 19th century listed buildings, which will be sympathetically restored and converted into apartments.

“Our vision is to transform Holyhead waterfront into a vibrant place to live, work and play, whilst preserving its unique character and protecting the existing setting,” Mr Dawes said. “CAD Architects has over 20 years’ experience of working with developers on large scale developments that work in harmony with the environment. Our team is looking forward to helping bring the Holyhead Waterfront Redevelopment Scheme to life.”

A spokesman for Conygar Holyhead Limited said: “It has taken our company over six years of careful planning to get this project to its current stage, where we are now ready to enter a period of public consultation.

“As local and national economies look to the future and seek to recover from the impact of the pandemic, large-scale projects of this kind will have a vital role to play, by providing new opportunities for growth and job creation. As soon as we met with the CAD Architects team and understood their visionary approach to projects, we knew that they were a perfect fit for the Holyhead Waterfront Redevelopment Scheme.”

Mr Dawes added: “As an intriguing footnote, we have discovered that the local saint is St Cuby, the son of a Cornish King, who sailed from Cornwall to Anglesey and set up the abbey on Holy Island. So in bringing Cornish expertise to Anglesey, we are following in illustrious footsteps.”

The scheme will be presented to Ynys Mon Council for planning approval in April 2021. It is expected that construction will create 700 jobs.

The local saint is the son of a Cornish King – so we are following in illustrious footsteps MARK DAWES, CAD