VISITORS to the Wye Valley could soon find themselves launching out on river cruises from under the shadow of Chepstow Castle.

A riverside pavilion and cafe next to the 11th century castle have been proposed as part of a scheme for a pleasure cruise service on the tidal Wye.

And if the scheme comes to fruition, it will see people following in the wake of Wordsworth, Coleridge and JMW Turner, who all enjoyed cruising through the Wye Valley more than 200 years ago.

Permission was granted by Monmouthshire County Council for a boat pontoon and cruise terminal building in 2007 before the credit crunch hit.

Now applicant Thomas Evans Ltd is refloating the scheme by replacing the plan for a terminal building with a two-storey timber pavilion cafe and outside decking in the corner of the Castle Dell car park.

As well as a place to eat and drink overlooking the river, it would include an exhibition space and an area for cruise ticket sales.

A statement by architects Hall and Bednarczyk to Monmouthshire planners said “the tourism offering” in lower Chepstow had been hit by the 2008 financial crisis, leading to the closure of the Stuart Crystal visitor centre and several boutique retailers.

That could damage the commercial viability of a river cruise service, and there was “a clear benefit” in providing a “more financially robust proposal”, it added.

The scheme has been inspired by the architects’ own design for the new Llandegfedd Reservoir boathouse and visitor centre near Pontypool, which has helped boost visitor numbers by more than 150,000 people per year.

The statement adds: “The proposal forms part of a potential valuable enhancement of Chepstow’s appeal to visitors, and will be consistent with Monmouthshire County Council’s policy of encouraging the town’s regeneration centred on tourism.

“The pavilion and river cruise service will support the existing cluster of visitor attractions such as Chepstow Castle and Chepstow Museum, neither of which offer visitor refreshments.”

The scheme would allow the town to reconnect with its river heritage and allow people to experience the Wye Valley as the likes of Wordsworth, Coleridge and JMW Turner had done on the water, it added.

A variety of cruises reflecting the river’s tidal conditions are planned, with the highlights including the historic sites of Tintern Abbey and Chepstow Castle.