“News that our last bank (Barclays) is to close in Llandeilo in June is a blow for local access to services, but as the fourth to close in recent years, this will also have significant impact on the character of the town. The former HSBC and Lloyds bank buildings, which closed respectively in 2014 and 2018, remain vacant and in a state of decline, despite at least one being listed for its historic and architectural significance. What is the Council doing to protect and enhance Llandeilo's historic high street - and how can residents get involved?”
Minutes:
“News that our last bank (Barclays) is to close in Llandeilo in June is a blow for local access to services, but as the fourth to close in recent years, this will also have significant impact on the character of the town. The former HSBC and Lloyds bank buildings, which closed respectively in 2014 and 2018, remain vacant and in a state of decline, despite at least one being listed for its historic and architectural significance. What is the Council doing to protect and enhance Llandeilo's historic high street - and how can residents get involved?”
Response by Councillor. Ann Davies, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Planning Policy:-
“I’m going to apologise at the beginning for this long and comprehensive answer but I feel that I need to note some of the investments which have benefited Llandeilo since we’ve led the Council which was in 2015.
With regards to the banks, 3 of the 4 high street banks have closed: HSBC was sold and bought by a developer; it has planning permission granted for conversion to a wine bar, but no work has been completed for 3 years. Lloyds Bank and Nat West have been bought by the owner of the Cawdors and I’m sure we’ll see plans coming forward in due course, bearing in mind how well run the Cawdors is, I have no concerns about these buildings.
But can I concentrate on what the Plaid-led coalition has provided for Llandeilo as we cannot change any commercial decisions by Barclays, even though they returned a £5 billion profit last year. It is unfortunate that these multi-national banks are closing branches across the UK and have been for a number of years. It’s also disappointing that the UK Conservative Government are not taking action to try and prevent the closure of these branches in the first place. I believe that local branches have a key role in terms of supporting our rural communities, yet the UK Conservative Government have done nothing, or next to nothing in the past 10 years to prevent this situation from developing. There is a clear need for more regulation of the banking sector and for greater protection of rural branches, but the UK Conservative Government seem more intent on supporting their friends in the city, than in supporting rural communities such as Llandeilo.
Llandeilo is one of our 10 market towns and has had a significant injection of funds through regeneration over the past few years. As you know this administration has just completed the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Llandeilo Market Hall which will create and accommodate 45 jobs and up to 17 SMEs in the heart of the town centre. This investment of just over £4.1m will act as a catalyst for further regeneration in the town. And over £2.4 m has been Council contribution and the remainder from Welsh Government.
Llandeilo has also had a conservation Area Appraisal over the past year. This has produced ideas and opportunities for its improvement as an historic town centre. The recent appraisal puts historic and architectural heritage at its heart and will need to be considered by any regeneration projects proposed for the area. This will be placed on the website as soon as it is approved by Cabinet and it’s working its way through the democratic process, which has been through scrutiny and will come to Cabinet very shortly.
Following on from this work on Conservation Areas the Built Heritage Team has applied to the Sustainable Communities Shared Prosperity Fund to directly support the regeneration of the historic town centres in 7 of the rural towns across Carmarthenshire, and Llandeilo is one of those 7 selected. The project, if successfully funded, will deliver training and education activities to local residents in energy efficiency and appropriate care for old buildings and offer a small 3rd party grant programme to renovate and repair historic commercial buildings.
Carmarthenshire County Council is unique in the whole of Wales, and possibly the whole of the UK in having a historic buildings information and training centre in Llandilo, and that is of course the Tywi Centre and this is within the Council’s jurisdiction. Based in Llandeilo, the Built Heritage Team at the Tywi Centre in Dinefwr Home Farm, is available for free pre-Listed Building application advice and information on appropriate repair and maintenance of all traditional buildings, as well as providing an extensive programme of training.
As I mentioned at the beginning, apologies for the long reply, but the work that this Plaid led administration has accomplished in Llandeilo has been immense. It’s also worth noting that the 10 towns initiative is bringing a pump track into the town for leisure use. And I’m looking at Edward here hoping that he will be the first on the bike around the pump track! This will probably be used by the younger residents of Llandeilo, but in preparing this initiative, it provides activities, shopping and leisure for all, resulting in a vibrant economy which benefits residents and tourists alike”.
Supplementary question by Ms Tara-Jane Sutcliffe:-
“Conservation area appraisal. I know that in one of the sub committees before Easter it was mentioned that the conservation area in Llandeilo is set to be split into two, one area to cover the town and one area to cover Dinefwr - which I understand is based on expert recommendations provided by Donald Insall Associations. Are you in a position to say anything further on intentions to accept those recommendations and further can you commit to protecting conservation areas in Llandeilo? You mentioned that the process was ongoing so is it perhaps a little early to say at this point though? Thank you”.
Response by Councillor. Ann Davies, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Planning Policy to the supplementary question:-
“The recommendation is for the two different areas to be split and its quite simply because the two areas are very different. The town is a market town – it has heritage of its own - but of course the Dinefwr Park is a very different building, a different area, much more rural and that is the reason for splitting the two areas. As I said, it’s going through the democratic process, it’s gone through Scrutiny and will come back to Cabinet in due course and the decision will then be made by Cabinet. Diolch”.