Plaid Cymru has set out its vision for economic regeneration in Llanelli ahead of the county council elections next month. The party’s priorities for Llanelli, include:
- Delivery of a new £27m Leisure Centre for Llanelli, as part of the first phase of Pentre Awel
- Ensuring supply chain opportunities for local businesses, and local recruitment arising from the multi-million-pound Pentre Awel scheme
- Plans to enhance and redesign Spring Gardens and Central Square
- Developing retail sites in the town centre
- Commission a feasibility study for a Skateboard Park of national significance and BMX Pumptrack in Llanelli
- Tackling empty buildings, and promote residential uses in the town – as is being done with the YMCA building
- Delivery of the £9.3m Tyisha Project
- Champion reform of business rates for town centre traders
- Support more businesses with their online offering to support sales
The pledges build on actions already taken by Plaid over recent years, such as the £4.5million Market Street North project, which saw the Council buy up empty shop units from private ownership, to renovate and bring them back in to use, and the investment and revamp of the Grade II-listed Llanelli Goods Shed.
Plaid Cymru’s Hengoed ward candidate Susan Phillips stated:
“Plaid Cymru is committed to doing all that we can to ensure that Llanelli has a bright future. Our manifesto sets clear ambitions for Llanelli, and places town centre regeneration at the heart.
“After decades of under-investment by Labour, the Plaid-led Council has already started the work of regenerating the town centre – leading on the YMCA building, and have also approved the development of Y Linc – the new £3.5m Arcade connecting Eastgate with the town centre. Developments such as this will breathe new life into the town, and we want to do more.
“Plaid Cymru has led on the development of Pentre Awel in Llanelli and we are committed to ensuring that as well as providing health and wellbeing benefits, that the businesses of Llanelli benefit through the construction stage, and that it will deliver employment and training opportunities to local people.
Tyisha candidate Terry Davies added:
“Work has already started on the £9.3million Tyisha regeneration project, with the demolition of outdated flats already underway and we are committed to further investment in order to provide quality housing in the ward and improvements to the local environment, and now the town.
“Tackling the deprivation and decades of Labour neglect in Llanelli is a top priority for Plaid Cymru and this can be seen in the money that the party has channelled into the town. It is a breath of fresh air for Llanelli to see Plaid delivering on its promises.”
