Pembrokeshire gallery wins planning prize

Oriel y Parc has received funding from the EU's Objective 1 scheme

A £3.5m landscape gallery and visitor centre in Pembrokeshire has won a leading planning award.

Oriel y Parc in St David's was praised at the Royal Town Planning Institute's Awards for creating a "real focal point at the entrance to the cathedral city."

It received the Award for Rural Areas and the Natural Environment at the RTPI's ceremony held in London.

Featuring works by Picasso, Lowry and Rembrandt, it has been open to the public for just over a year.

Described as "one of the most eco-friendly buildings in Wales" judges praised its environmental credentials.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority have sensitively and unobtrusively planned and delivered a highly sustainable development that fits perfectly into the local environment and landscape Kay Powell, judging panel chair

Kay Powell, chair of the judging panel, said: "The opening of the Oriel y Parc scheme with its visitor centre and gallery has created a real focal point at the entrance to St David's historic cathedral city.

"Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority have sensitively and unobtrusively planned and delivered a highly sustainable development that fits perfectly into the local environment and landscape."

She said the centre, gallery and education programmes promoted awareness and understanding of the area's varied landscapes and cultural and natural resources.

Ms Powell said the judges were "incredibly impressed" by the level of collaborative working and the high quality of planning, design, construction and management that has been achieved.

She said it had resulted in a development that made a significant contribution to sustainable development and environmental awareness.

A Pembrokeshire National Park Authority and National Museum Wales partnership, it also includes a cafe, artist studio, education centre and discovery room.

The centre harnesses green technologies including a ground source heat pump, a rainwater harvesting system, sedum and turf roofs, photovoltaic roof cells and solar panels.

It was officially opened by King Letsie III of Lesotho on his first state visit to Wales.