Hywel Dda Health Board are to appeal against the decision of Carmarthenshire County Council ‘Planning Committee’ refusal to relocate Llanelli Drug & Alcohol Service (DDAS) to the former WRW Anchor Point Unit at North Dock. An Inspector has now been appointed by Welsh Government ministers to decide if this will go ahead.
Sean Rees and Louvain Roberts, Independent County Councillors for the Glanymor Ward have expressed concerns at the way the situation continues to be handled and have urged Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda Health Board and the Welsh Government to explore all of the options available to them before a decision is reached on the relocation of the service.
Whereas the Councillors fully recognise the need for the service to leave the Town Centre, it has been highlighted how the Beach area which is residential, recreational, tourist and business area in nature is not suitable given there is a children playground and a dock itself which presents a number of health & safety concerns which must be addressed under a duty of care for both clients who would use the service and members of the community.
A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Councillors has also revealed that the total funding to be granted for the move to North Dock and the Beach area is £860,000 from the Welsh Government ‘Substance Misuse Action Fund (SMAF) Capital Programme. It has further been revealed that an alternative location put forward that of the Ty’r Nant building in Trostre is structurally sound and can be brought back into use should it be considered as an option by the Health Board. The County Council is currently looking at alternative options for the Ty’r Nant property.
The Planning Hearing Appeal is taking place on Wednesday 30th April starting at 9.30am in the Selwyn Samuel Centre. A protest has been organised outside the venue from 8.45am on the day. The hearing is open to all but for anyone who wishes to take an active part on the day itself they need to e-mailPEDW.Casework@gov.wales quoting reference CAS-03409-C5K5D4 no later than 2 weeks before the hearing. The meeting will focus on two areas for discussion namely the character of the local area and the fear of anti-social behaviour.
Councillors Rees and Roberts added:
“We feel strongly that not all options have been considered. The Ty’r Nant building ticks all the boxes in terms of meeting requirements needed for this service and should be considered. Despite requests being made, no Risk Assessment nor that of a Community Impact Assessment have been undertaken. All of us have a duty of care to our residents and to visitors to the area. The health & safety of everyone has to come first.
“Following a review undertaken just earlier this year, evidence has been presented showing an increase in reported crime within the locality. This led to the North Dock area now being covered by a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). This is also enforced by Dyfed-Powys Police. A very clear message has been sent to the ‘Area Planning Board’. They do not have public confidence on side and their proposal has already been overwhelmingly rejected by both our community and by members of the Planning Committee.
“We will continue to challenge this appeal and are prepared to explore all options available to us. We are now urging all the powers that be to look at the alternative suggestions in the interests of everyone.”
From where? And why?