Carmarthenshire Leader Kevin Madge has a pop at Plaid AM and MP
Plaid Cymru’s AM and MP are trying to stop a £60million investment with the creation of around 1,200 jobs in the Tywi and Gwendraeth Valleys, a Carmarthenshire Council press release claims.
MP Jonathan Edwards and Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM have asked for the Sainsbury’s planning applications to be called in a move which, it is claimed, now jeopardises developments which mean major investment in Carmarthenshire.
Sainsbury's plans to open two new stores – one at Llandeilo and one at Cross Hands, creating up to 600 new jobs.
MP Jonathan Edwards and Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM have asked for the Sainsbury’s planning applications to be called in a move which, it is claimed, now jeopardises developments which mean major investment in Carmarthenshire.
Sainsbury's plans to open two new stores – one at Llandeilo and one at Cross Hands, creating up to 600 new jobs.
There would also be several hundred jobs created or supported through construction.
At Cross Hands, the investment includes the remediation of a derelict and contaminated site providing land for housing, including affordable homes, a new doctor’s surgery, health centre and care home.
It will also include significant improvements to Maes yr Yrfa School to drive forward Carmarthenshire County Council’s investment in Welsh medium education in the Gwendraeth Valley.
This aims to provide hundreds of new Welsh medium secondary school education places in the Gwendraeth Valley.
At best this will now be delayed, at worst, it may not happen, which will be a great disappointment to many parents.
Sainsbury's has also pledged to work with local producers providing them with a much needed economic boost.
Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “All this is now at risk. I was shocked to hear that our own AM and MP are responsible for asking for these plans to be called in by the Welsh Government. The county council is committed to creating new jobs and economic investment. This is our top priority. These are major developments which would have helped so many people and impacted so positively on many communities. The investment at Cross Hands, in particular, would have supported our aim to improve Welsh medium education which is also now at risk.
“These kinds of jobs provide the start many of our young people need. At a time when unemployment is high across Wales, and the number of women unemployed is higher than ever, these jobs would have been a lifesaver to many individuals and families. It is inconceivable and inexcusable that Jonathan Edwards and Rhodri Glyn Thomas are deliberately trying to sabotage these developments.”
Sainsbury's Director Neil Sachdev has written to the Minister urging him to process the call in as quickly as possible.
Sainsbury's has also pledged to work with local producers providing them with a much needed economic boost.
Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “All this is now at risk. I was shocked to hear that our own AM and MP are responsible for asking for these plans to be called in by the Welsh Government. The county council is committed to creating new jobs and economic investment. This is our top priority. These are major developments which would have helped so many people and impacted so positively on many communities. The investment at Cross Hands, in particular, would have supported our aim to improve Welsh medium education which is also now at risk.
“These kinds of jobs provide the start many of our young people need. At a time when unemployment is high across Wales, and the number of women unemployed is higher than ever, these jobs would have been a lifesaver to many individuals and families. It is inconceivable and inexcusable that Jonathan Edwards and Rhodri Glyn Thomas are deliberately trying to sabotage these developments.”
Sainsbury's Director Neil Sachdev has written to the Minister urging him to process the call in as quickly as possible.
Mr Sachdev said: “In my meetings with Welsh Ministers they have made it clear that Wales wants to expand its retail sector, this being the only area where jobs have continually grown in these tough economic times.
“Following nearly two years of overwhelmingly supportive consultation with local people and politicans in Cross Hands and Llandeilo, the plans for new supermarkets submitted by Sainsbury’s and George LB were given near-unanimous approval at Carmarthenshire County Council planning committee. Our local supporters were delighted and looked forward to starting construction soon afterwards, bringing much needed investment into these towns.
“Given the locations of the stores in Carmarthenshire, we are at a loss as to why it was necessary to call them in. We understand this direction is usually only used when a development is of more than local significance and affects multiple local authorities. Also, given recent comments on significantly reducing the number of applications called-in so that development and investment can be brought forward more quickly, we are especially disappointed that this investment has been put in jeopardy.
“In these economic times, choosing to invest in new stores in marginal locations such as Cross Hands and Llandeilo is a difficult decision. We have been welcomed by local people and politicians who have recognised that their towns need new investment and that these opportunities are rare. I hope that this call-in can be processed as quickly as possible, to avoid unnecessarily delaying new investment and to provide an update to residents in Cross Hands and Llandeilo who regularly call to ask when the stores are opening.”
“Following nearly two years of overwhelmingly supportive consultation with local people and politicans in Cross Hands and Llandeilo, the plans for new supermarkets submitted by Sainsbury’s and George LB were given near-unanimous approval at Carmarthenshire County Council planning committee. Our local supporters were delighted and looked forward to starting construction soon afterwards, bringing much needed investment into these towns.
“Given the locations of the stores in Carmarthenshire, we are at a loss as to why it was necessary to call them in. We understand this direction is usually only used when a development is of more than local significance and affects multiple local authorities. Also, given recent comments on significantly reducing the number of applications called-in so that development and investment can be brought forward more quickly, we are especially disappointed that this investment has been put in jeopardy.
“In these economic times, choosing to invest in new stores in marginal locations such as Cross Hands and Llandeilo is a difficult decision. We have been welcomed by local people and politicians who have recognised that their towns need new investment and that these opportunities are rare. I hope that this call-in can be processed as quickly as possible, to avoid unnecessarily delaying new investment and to provide an update to residents in Cross Hands and Llandeilo who regularly call to ask when the stores are opening.”
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