The plan, initially rejected by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Planning Committee in September 2023, is now the subject of an appeal to Planning & Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), as the Health Board seeks to get that decision overturned so it can proceed with transferring services to the new location.
In a letter sent to PEDW, the town’s Member of Parliament, Dame Nia Griffith, has confirmed her opposition to the controversial move and called on the non-political body to refuse the application too.
The MP said:
“I share the objections of many local people to the application to move DDAS to this location in North Dock.
“The DDAS facility does need to be moved out of the town centre, as it encourages groups of service users to gather in the town centre, which has proved to be very intimidating and upsetting for shoppers and businesses. However the site at North Dock is totally unsuitable. There are more appropriate sites with easier access and these alternative options need to be properly considered and assessed instead.”
She added:
“Putting this service in North Dock raises concerns for the safety of its users and the impact it would have on local residents and businesses in terms of the risks of additional anti-social behaviour especially around the nearby children’s playpark, beach, café, offices and restaurant in that area.
There are also residential properties both on the beach front and just across the bypass and I know that many people living there are against the plans and believe that that is the wrong place for the service to go as well.
I remain firmly opposed to these proposals as they stand and urge PEDW to reject them in the same way that Carmarthenshire County Councillors did last year. The substance misuse services provided are much needed but there needs to be a better solution brought forward that delivers not only for those in need of help but also for the wider town, its residents and its local businesses.”
