Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Welsh Government funding of £30,000 has been secured to look at future use of the site of a demolished Amman Valley eyesore. Carmarthenshire County Council has secured the money from the Welsh Government under its Western Valleys Regeneration Initiative to look at possible future uses for the land on Cwmamman Road, Garnant, in front of Arcade Terrace. The County Council bought the row of derelict houses in spring 2012 and immediately arranged for contractors TRJ to carry out demolition and leave a level site for sale to a developer when the property market improves. Investigations into traffic/transportation, site accessibility and an assessment of housing needs will be undertaken with designs also to be produced. It is hoped this initial study will be concluded in April 2014. The information from the investigations will be used to provide clear direction for the site’s future use. This project is being advanced as part of the council’s wider regeneration aspirations for Ammanford and ...

Grant aid is now available to businesses in Cross Hands to improve shop fronts and help attract further investment in the area. Carmarthenshire County Council is working in partnership with the Welsh Government to deliver the scheme as part of the Western Valleys Regeneration Area initiative. Businesses based in the commercial core of Cross Hands are now invited to apply for a Town Improvement Grant (TIG) to improve their premises. The aim is that the improvements will enhance the visual appearance of the buildings, increase local confidence and encourage private sector investment in the area. Funding of up to 50 per cent of eligible costs will be available per property up to a maximum grant of £16,666. Eligible organisations that can apply for a grant include small, medium and micro enterprises (SME’s) and community enterprises. Regeneration executive board member Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “The aim of the project is to assist the physical and economic regeneration of the Cr...

Ammanford's Big Day Out explodes into life on Saturday July 9 with its immensely popular Mardis-Gras Carnival. The streets will be running with riotous colour when the mass parade takes to the streets wending its way to the Recreation Ground through anticipated crowds of 3-4,000 people. This year the festivities have the theme “Birds” so expect some flights of fancy on the parade. The Carnival Queen is Rebecca Jones from the Cwmamman Road area of Garnant and her Attendant is Lucy Tootle from the Walters Road area of Ammanford. This successful event, sponsored by for the third year running by Taylor Wimpey, has been given a new lease of life after the county council successfully secured a grant from the Western Valleys programme. The Valleys – Heart and Soul of Wales is a three-year campaign led by partnership organisations from the Western Valleys, Heads of the Valleys and The Valleys Partnership. The aim is to change perceptions of The Valleys, attract more tourists and bring long...

Ammanford's Big Day Out explodes into life on Saturday July 9 with its immensely popular Mardis-Gras Carnival. This successful event sponsored by Taylor Wimpey has been given a new lease of life after the county council successfully secured a grant from the Western Valleys programme. The Valleys – Heart and Soul of Wales is a three-year campaign led by partnership organisations from the Western Valleys, Heads of the Valleys and The Valleys Partnership. The aim is to change perceptions of The Valleys, attract more tourists and bring long-term economic benefits to the area and this year’s Ammanford Big Day Out is sure to do just that. The streets will be running with riotous colour when the mass parade takes to the streets wending its way to the Recreation Ground through anticipated crowds of 3-4,000 people. This year the festivities have the theme “Birds” so expect some flights of fancy on the parade. There’s a series of arena acts booked including the Rockwood Dog Display team and ...

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 part...

Cwmaman Carnival will take place next month with an exciting programme of events. The carnival came back with a bang last year after a gap of 15 years. A hard-working community team restored the carnival, winning a £20,000 grant from the Western Valleys programme to help run the event for two years. The Valleys – Heart and Soul of Wales is a three-year campaign led by partnership organisations from the Western Valleys, Heads of the Valleys and The Valleys Partnership. The aim is to change perceptions of The Valleys, attract more tourists and bring long-term economic benefits to the area. The fun starts on Friday June 24 when there will be evening entertainment in the marquee from 6pm to midnight. There will be an Irish theme to the event, with pop acts provided by Turtle Promotions. The main Carnival will be held in Cwmaman Park from 10am until midnight on Saturday June 24. Acts include Meirion Owen's Quack Pack, Tawe Samba, a climbing wall, inflatable Gladiator Challenge and Rugby...

A new car park has been unveiled at the site of a longstanding eyesore in Brynamman. Land in Mountain Road has been completely transformed in recent months into a much needed parking area for the community. Three buildings on the corner of the road have been bulldozed after complaints from residents. Two of the properties had been empty for many years, and sheds at the site have also been cleared. The work has been carried out by Carmarthenshire County Council, as part of a £167,000 environmental improvement scheme. The project was co-funded by a grant of £116,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Area Programme. It forms part of the 10 year Group Renewal programme in Upper Brynamman, which is leading to regeneration schemes across the area. The council’s Principal Area Renewal Officer Clive Thomas said: “The buildings were in the centre of the village and were an eyesore for the community. “We are pleased to have been able to complete this sch...

A Brynamman eyesore which has been a longstanding blight on the community has been transformed into a much needed car park. Three buildings on the corner of Mountain Road have been bulldozed after complaints from residents. Two of the properties had been empty for many years. The area has now been cleared by Carmarthenshire County Council, as part of a £167,000 environmental improvement scheme. The project was co-funded by a grant of £116,00 from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Area Programme. The work has been carried out as part of the 10 year Group Renewal programme in Upper Brynamman. The council’s Principal Area Renewal Officer Clive Thomas said: “The buildings were in the centre of the village and were an eyesore for the community. “We are pleased to have been able to complete this scheme. The work has greatly improved this part of Brynamman and provided much needed car parking space for Post Office customers.” Upper Brynamman is one of two ...

Major regeneration plans are afoot for Kidwelly’s historic quay. A £180,000 scheme to revamp the estuary area and attract more visitors is underway. Regeneration chiefs want to build on its ‘hidden gem’ status and enhance its mix of open space, superb estuary views, unique industrial heritage and wildlife habitats A vision is being drawn up with exciting plans to create new paths and walkways, improve the car park and develop better signs. Carmarthenshire County Council has joined forces with Kidwelly Town Council, Kidwelly Town Forum, and RSPB for the scheme, with funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Area Programme, and the Valleys Regional Park. The quay, and its connected lands along Kymer’s Canal, are seen as a little known treasure spot for visitors. The aim is to regenerate the area and make the land around the estuary and along the canal more accessible. Reports are being prepared and there are hopes that some information will be re...