A multi-million pound residential development is set to be built at the site of a former supermarket in Carmarthen. The old Lidl store, based in Priory Street on the edge of the town centre, has been empty for the past two years after the supermarket giant closed its doors and moved into a new larger location a mile away.
Now, new life could be breathed into the empty 1.1 acre site with the development of a residential scheme. The proposal, which was lodged with Carmarthenshire Council before Christmas, includes the construction of four separate buildings which will house a total of 47 apartments.
The complex will be located towards the top end of Priory Street between West Wales Chiropractors and the former Carmarthen Infirmary , which was itself redeveloped and turned into residential flats in 2017. To get the latest Carmarthenshire stories sent directly to you for free, click here.
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Three of the buildings will be three-storeys high while one will be single storey, with balconies overlooking a communal area comprising a herb and sensory garden, a recreational area - which could potentially be a bowling green - and a patio, together with 17 parking spaces. The Wales & West Housing complex will provide rented housing for people aged over 55, with seven of the 47 flats providing supported living and the potential for a live-in carer.
The development - which will see the existing building demolished, 22 years after it was built and opened as a Lidl store in 2000 - has been subject to a consultation period, with some residents who live in nearby residential apartments expressing concerns.
One woman who lives near the site of the proposed development said: “I strongly object to the submitted planning proposal. Anyone in their right mind would see that there are not enough parking spaces offered for the 47 anticipated units. Has consideration been given to visiting carers, doctors or ambulances that would need to service these accommodations? This is without people’s private vehicles. Living in the next door retirement flats, I can assure you, the provision of 17 parking bays just isn’t enough!”
This concern was echoed by another objector who said: "Based on the experience at other similar properties surrounding the Lidl site, 17 resident car parking spaces is totally insufficient, especially when there is no provision whatsoever for visitors and/or carers, nurses and others who need to call regularly. I feel that expecting carers and other essential visitors to park at (nearby) St Peter’s Car Park is totally unreasonable and should not be allowed."
Another neighbouring resident took umbrage with the fact that 47 flats were being built in close proximity to existing ones when, they claimed, what was most needed in the Priory Street area following Lidl’s closure was a new convenience store.
“Lidl was very convenient and well stocked," they wrote. "I do not think another 47 dwellings, squashed onto this site, is a good idea. It would be better if the council could tempt another food store to take over the building.”
If plans are given the go-ahead, work is expected to start on the site later this year and it is hoped the development will be open to residents at some point next year. Gareth Thomas, regional development manager at Wales & West Housing said: “This is an exciting project that will meet the demand for modern, contemporary homes for older people.
“We have worked closely with Carmarthenshire Council’s housing team to design a scheme that meets the housing needs of the local community. As a result, we have included seven apartments which could be used by the local authority for supported living or step-down accommodation for older people leaving hospital.
“The scheme is designed with calm and pleasant outdoor spaces that will create a sense of community and belonging, while giving residents the privacy and safety of their own apartments. Residents will be able to use the gardens to meet and socialise with their neighbours to reduce isolation and promote social inclusion.
“We are suggesting a bowling green to give the residents an area where they can enjoy activities, but that could easily be a lawned area depending on what the people living there would like to see. We want to create homes that local people are proud to live in and find easy to maintain and affordable to run.”
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