Council buys eyesore for demolition
Carmarthenshire County Council has bought an Amman Valley eyesore building in order to demolish it.
The local authority’s physical regeneration department has bought the former Palais de Danse site in Garnant from the Royal British Legion for £30,000 with funding from the Welsh Government’s Western Valleys Regeneration Area scheme.
The dilapidated building, also known as Haig Hall, will be demolished in order to remove an eyesore from the area.
The county council proposes to create a low key environmental enhancement of the site including recreational amenities as the second phase of the project.
Cwmaman Town Council recently completed a community consultation exercise and this building was highlighted as a problem property which has a detrimental effect on the amenity of the neighbourhood.
Upon inviting suggestions from members of the public there was a unanimous view that the building should be demolished and the site cleared.
Carmarthenshire County Council is looking to work in partnership with Cwmamman Town Council to carry out Phase 2 in future years depending on the ability to secure funds to implement the scheme.
The building has a lot of history attached to it. The Palais opened on December 31, 1923, to be used as a cinema and dance hall which held regular dance competitions.
The Palais changed owners and became the British Legion Hall in 1934 and was named Haig Hall after Field Marshall Douglas Haig and was used as a memorial hall for war heroes of Cwmamman.
Wales’ Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Minister Huw Lewis said, “Regeneration is about much more than creating employment or economic opportunities. It’s also about creating an environment where people can feel proud of where they live.
“Despite being a hub of local activity back in its day, the Palais in Garnant had fallen into disrepair and blighted the community. Local people requested its removal, and the Welsh Government grant will be used to listen to their views and demolish the building.
“Local people will also be influential in shaping the future of the site and I look forward to learning more about the plans.”
Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr. Clive Scourfield said: “I very much welcome this. It has been an eyesore for the local community for many years and at last things are moving with demolition and reinstatement of the land.
“Hopefully we can access funds for environmental landscaping to make it more of an attraction for the area. It has been an excellent example of partnership working.”
Carmarthenshire County Council deputy Leader and local member Cllr Kevin Madge said: “This is very good news. We have now purchased this site, giving us the opportunity to get rid of the third biggest eyesore in Garnant.
“I was also pleased that the Town Council had agreed to borrow £15,000 to put towards the scheme and apply for other grant funding.”
The local authority’s physical regeneration department has bought the former Palais de Danse site in Garnant from the Royal British Legion for £30,000 with funding from the Welsh Government’s Western Valleys Regeneration Area scheme.
The dilapidated building, also known as Haig Hall, will be demolished in order to remove an eyesore from the area.
The county council proposes to create a low key environmental enhancement of the site including recreational amenities as the second phase of the project.
Cwmaman Town Council recently completed a community consultation exercise and this building was highlighted as a problem property which has a detrimental effect on the amenity of the neighbourhood.
Upon inviting suggestions from members of the public there was a unanimous view that the building should be demolished and the site cleared.
Carmarthenshire County Council is looking to work in partnership with Cwmamman Town Council to carry out Phase 2 in future years depending on the ability to secure funds to implement the scheme.
The building has a lot of history attached to it. The Palais opened on December 31, 1923, to be used as a cinema and dance hall which held regular dance competitions.
The Palais changed owners and became the British Legion Hall in 1934 and was named Haig Hall after Field Marshall Douglas Haig and was used as a memorial hall for war heroes of Cwmamman.
Wales’ Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Minister Huw Lewis said, “Regeneration is about much more than creating employment or economic opportunities. It’s also about creating an environment where people can feel proud of where they live.
“Despite being a hub of local activity back in its day, the Palais in Garnant had fallen into disrepair and blighted the community. Local people requested its removal, and the Welsh Government grant will be used to listen to their views and demolish the building.
“Local people will also be influential in shaping the future of the site and I look forward to learning more about the plans.”
Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr. Clive Scourfield said: “I very much welcome this. It has been an eyesore for the local community for many years and at last things are moving with demolition and reinstatement of the land.
“Hopefully we can access funds for environmental landscaping to make it more of an attraction for the area. It has been an excellent example of partnership working.”
Carmarthenshire County Council deputy Leader and local member Cllr Kevin Madge said: “This is very good news. We have now purchased this site, giving us the opportunity to get rid of the third biggest eyesore in Garnant.
“I was also pleased that the Town Council had agreed to borrow £15,000 to put towards the scheme and apply for other grant funding.”
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