Concerns have been raised over plans to relocate a drug and alcohol treatment service from Llanelli town centre to North Dock. As part of a plan for a health improvement and wellbeing centre in Llanelli the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) have proposed the move to the former WRW building at Anchor Point which has angered some local residents.
Richard Evans, 42, said he was concerned at the location's proximity to a children's playground which he claims is a safeguarding issue and said it could affect tourism in the area. As a father of two he said he was worried that "potentially very troubled people" could be coming to the centre. He said: "It is very distressing and worrying as a parent. Of all the places I cannot believe there's not other places."
But a spokesman for charity Barod said “Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service continues to provide a range of innovative and evidence-based services that enable people to make positive and significant changes in their lives that not only impact themselves but their families and our local communities. We need to avoid the use of stigmatising language that can have significant detrimental effects and contribute to people having a sense of isolation. Ultimately this can prevent people from seeking and accessing support that they both have a right to and need.”
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County councillors Sean Rees and Louvain Roberts of the Glanymor ward said they had received many concerns from residents and that their community must have its say on the matter. Although concerns were highlighted at a recent well-attended public meeting in the Anticoch centre no area planning board representatives were in attendance on the night to answer questions, they said.
A community petition was then launched and supported by the Safer Communities Action Group and all local ward councillors, they added, which has been supported locally while there have been more than 220 objections to the application online. The health board’s strategic development and operational delivery committee considered the proposal in December and agreed for it to go to the board for formal approval in 2023.
In a joint statement the two Glanymor councillors said: “Nobody is questioning the work undertaken by DDAS as an organisation but there is a lot of concern around the sensitivity of the proposed location. North Dock is a residential, recreational, tourist and business area in nature. It has a children’s playground and water-based activities take place in the dock itself. This relocation would be completely out of character with the surrounding area.
“When we met with representatives of the area planning board back in early December we requested for a copy of their risk assessment, community impact survey, the level of community consultation to be undertaken, and the list of other locations which have been explored for any potential relocation. We are so frustrated and disappointed that we have received no documentation or further consultation to share with our residents who deserve answers to the many questions that we all have."
A spokesman for Hywel Dda University Health Board said the planning application submitted in December 2022 for the centre will increase the range and accessibility of essential services for the local population. "The facility is intended to improve the health and wellbeing of the community and future generations by providing discreet and confidential services to the local community for children, young people, and adults who wish to seek support with lifestyle behaviour change," they said.
As well as Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service the centre's plans include space for the health board’s health improvement and wellbeing public health team, the community drug and alcohol team, and services for children and young people's mental health, smoking cessation, and children and adult's psychology.
Joanna Dainton, head of health improvement and wellbeing – public health, said: “The securing of this property would enable the provision of enhanced and innovative treatment and prevention interventions, reduce death, improve health and wellbeing, reduce crime and improve community safety. The health board and partners have explored other potential locations but has established Anchor Point as the most suitable property for development. A new health improvement and wellbeing centre in Llanelli is essential to the health board’s strategy from shifting services from treating illness, to promoting and supporting wellness, working with partners, communities, patients and public to enable our community to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and tackle the leading causes of preventable ill health and early death. Smoking, alcohol, and drug misuse are amongst the leading causes of preventable ill health and early death and tackling these issues are strategic priorities for the health board and members of the area planning board.
“Similarly improving the resilience of children and young people who have had adverse experiences will ensure improved health and wellbeing outcomes for future generations. We understand the local community to Anchor Point may wish to learn more about our proposal and the services it will deliver. We look forward to discussing our plans with the community at the drop-in session in February and we encourage everyone who may be interested in understanding more to attend.”
A spokesman for Barod added: "Barod are committed to ensuring that people have equal and equitable access to all our services. Individuals from all corners of our communities and society have a right to, and do, seek support in relation to substance use whether via their own or someone else’s use. We believe that raising awareness of the reasons why people may experience issues around substance use is pivotal in helping to reduce and eradicate the stigma, marginalisation, and exclusion faced by those affected. While some who access our services may have experienced trauma, significant mental health issues, and/ or homelessness many others have encountered breakdown in relationships, loss of employment, and been hit hard by the current cost of living crisis."
There will be a public drop-in session between 2pm and 7pm on Tuesday, February 21, in the postgraduate centre in Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli. Members of the public can come along and discuss plans with those involved in the proposals.
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