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Reconstruction of Cefn Mably Farm Park’s main building has begun after it was severely damaged by floods last year.

The new building will be significantly larger and will be on stilts to avoid flooding issues in future, following the damage caused by Storm Dennis in February 2020.

Currently the farm, which is located on the border between Caerphilly County Borough and Newport, is operating as an outdoor attraction with marquees until construction finishes.

Prior to the floods, the farm was a popular tourist attraction for families and schools across South Wales, with animals, a soft play area, a café and a farm shop. The rebuild will allow the farm to provide these activities once again.

Rhys Edwards, who owns the farm with his wife Alyona Edwards, has reportedly spent £2 million on the rebuild.

Planning permission was granted by Newport City Council on September 1.

Mr Edwards said: “In February 2020 we had our building flooded, at that time we decided we didn’t want this to happen again.

“I didn’t want my children and my wife to experience that devastation again. We want this to be a better building that will last us and give us a strong stable future.”

Cefn Mably Farm Park did not trade for nearly a year and a half due to the floods and lockdown restrictions.

The farm currently employs 35 local staff members – a number which is set to increase once construction is complete.

Mr Edwards took on the farm from his mother in 2004, following the death of his step-dad.