THE Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre at Pwllheli has secured yet another prestigious national award.

Plas Heli beat off stiff competition at the awards, and will now go on to represent Wales at the UK-wide RTPI Planning Awards.

The RTPI adjudicating panel felt that the project has achieved a number of important benefits, providing a well-designed building that is fit for purpose and respects its local context, strengthening the link with the town centre, as well as creating strong links with the community, the local economy and supply chain and between sailing and the education sector.

Cllr Mandy Williams-Davies, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet member for economy and community said: “We are delighted that Plas Heli has received the top Wales planning award at the RTPI event.

“The waters around Pwllheli have been recognised as world-class for many years. However, the council recognised some time ago that the on-land facilities needed improvement if the area was to build on this reputation."

Plas Heli chairman Stephen Tudor said he was delighted with the national recognition. “We are very proud that Plas Heli has been awarded this coveted all-Wales award from the RTPI, and we look forward now to the UK-wide awards,” he said.

Read the full story in this Thursday’s north editions of the Cambrian News