Glanamman Workshops to be revamped

THE Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council has welcomed moves to redevelop and refurbish a key industrial site in the Amman Valley.

The local authority has conducted a feasibility study at the Glanamman Workshops site, drawn up plans and is seeking funding to carry them out.

Physical Regeneration Strategic Programme Manager Steffan Jenkins said the site had great potential and the council acknowledged the current condition of the workshops. The county council had recently undertaken a feasibility study to investigate the options available with a focus on creating good quality premises which are fit to meet business requirements.

He added: “A mix of refurbishment and new build proposals have been considered with detailed drawings and cost estimates produced. The county council will be actively seeking external funding opportunities to meet its aspirations with a focus upon emerging European Grant programmes to be administered via the Welsh Government.

“The county council is committed to improving the current offer at the Glanamman site and hopes to gain further clarification of such funding opportunities over the coming months.”

Council head of corporate property Jonathan Fearn said: “The two main buildings at Glanamman Workshops are beyond their economic life, and repairs are, unfortunately, no longer possible.

“Our current aim is to accommodate all our existing tenants in comparable or better properties, if possible. Whilst the authority is under considerable financial pressure at present, meaning that securing funding is always an uphill struggle, we have been pursuing all possible options to secure funding for redevelopment of the site to provide high quality industrial accommodation for the future.

“The only relatively modern building on the site (built in the 1980s) is to be retained and will house some of the relocated tenants from the other buildings. The County Council is also investing in the site through the provision of a new water supply to improve this building.”

Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “The Glanamman site provides a fantastic opportunity for businesses within the local and wider region but is in need of significant investment in order to bring it up to today’s standards.

“I’m delighted that this feasibility study has been carried out and that officers are continuing to seek the funding needed to bring the site up to the standard required to meet the needs of businesses. It is very good news for the Amman Valley.”