Undoubtedly, one of the best things about the National Eisteddfod is meeting people and learning from that experience. This is exactly how we came to learn about these new cottages at Newport, Pembrokeshire. Two members from the county called at the stand and referred to our pamphlet "The Cottage Tradition" and said that there was an excellent example of what we are advocating in the Craft Pavilion. A rushed visit (it was, of course, the last day) and yes, there for all to see were pictures and description.

The development is a classic of the "new tradition". Our heartiest congratulations to the architects and builders and thanks for allowing us to use their material.

Newport in Pembrokeshire, like many west Wales towns on the coast, has a wealth of character and is relatively unspoilt. Such towns are very much dependant upon farming and tourism for their wellbeing. With farming in such a poor state, tourism has become the major industry.

Newport benefits from its beautiful setting with exceptional landscape quality, coastal paths, a medieval town plan and excellent beaches and estuary; all set within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Newport is one of the larger settlements within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. There is strong demand for property, with many people wishing to retire to the area and a large number of second/holiday homes. Thus, the cost of property has become inflated, often beyond the means of local people. Planning policy for residential development in the Newport area is described as a modest housing growth in the development plan now being adopted. The local community has expressed the wish that any development for housing should be limited to small schemes for local people.

Briefly, the site at Feidr Eglwys is situated on the fringe of the historic town and the conservation area, in close proximity to the church and Norman castle with panoramic views over the town and estuary below. The approach taken at the inception of this project was to avoid the usual detached house type estate design and look at how a development could fit snugly into the Newport scene. Any proposal should be small in scale with the emphasis on harmony with the people of Newport, its landscape and the traditional townscape.

In order to produce homes at a realistic selling price, accommodation and floor areas were kept to a minimum. A mix of four terraced properties, together with a larger block comprising three flats was considered the correct blend for the development.

Whilst the development is compact and the idea of producing terraced property is somewhat rare these days, individuality has been maintained by the differing layout plans. the garden walling, entrance gates, footpaths and steps which lead to each properly. Such details and materials used are typical of the much older terraced cottages within the town. Considerable attention has been given to the use of traditional materials. details and building methods with basic materials such as stone, slate and colour.

The development is now some three years old and has begun to settle comfortably with its surroundings. The design has achieved some success in maintaining the essence and scale of the locality, blending successfully and thus reducing the impact of change - often a criticism of any new development in an old established settlement.

The project was privately funded by the developer/building contractor, Ty  Newyddl Services of Newport. Coast and Country Estates Office, Fishguard were the agents for the sale of the properties.

The development received a Design Commendation award from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Biennial Award 1997/98.