A filling station, acquired by Ascona in 2021, is set for a major transformation, with plans to introduce 14 new holiday lodges and 10 caravan pitches on the site.
The Forge Service Station in Saint Clears, Carmarthenshire, sits on the A40, just seven miles west of Carmarthen and 30 miles east of Haverfordwest.
The site currently includes a restaurant and a small holiday park with several chalets, along with an indoor pool and sauna. An established four-pump forecourt and shop serve motorists on the westbound carriageway of the A40.
Ascona plans to demolish the existing forecourt, which planning documents describe as “run down,” along with the “relatively small” kiosk. In their place, the company will build a new filling station and a much larger shop—around three times the size of the current unit—operating under the Nisa Local fascia.
A new HGV filling point will also be constructed, with the current setup described as “poorly positioned,” and the outdated underground fuel tanks will be replaced.
In August 2024, Carmarthenshire Council approved Ascona’s plans to rebuild the forecourt and redevelop the holiday park. However, the company—which operates 62 sites—has since revised its proposal, opting for more holiday lodges and fewer caravan pitches, and has resubmitted the plans to the authority.
The updated plans still feature the new forecourt, along with an expanded holiday park that will include a playground and an amenity building with toilets, showers, and a laundrette.
Instead of the originally proposed 33 caravan pitches and four chalets, Ascona now plans to build 10 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom lodges, reducing caravan pitches to 10 to accommodate the extra lodges.
Ascona Group’s chief executive, Darren Briggs, said his firm is ”incredibly excited to bring forward these proposals”, and that they represent “a significant multi-million investment in the local area”.
Briggs added that the development ”will enhance the site’s long-standing role as a convenient and welcoming stop for visitors and local customers alike”, and that “while the current facilities have served the community well, they are ready for a refresh”.