New premises hunt after Ammanford town hall eviction

South Wales Guardian

2 days ago

This comes after Carmarthenshire County Council stated they wanted Ammanford Town Hall vacated by Monday (June 30) so work could begin on repurposing the property into homes.
Despite opting to seek legal advice, Ammanford Town Council were unable to hold their final meeting tonight due to uncertainty as to whether the Town Hall would be accessible.
Town Councillor Calum Higgins, Ammanford's Deputy Mayor said: "Members held an Emergency Meeting last week to discuss vital matters, including the ratification of our Accounts for 2024-25 on Thursday.
'The majority of Members still believe that Ammanford Town Hall should be transferred to Ammanford Town Council so we can develop a space the whole community can utilise, especially our young people.
'We are now in the process of negotiating new premises which will be at the cost of the Ammanford Taxpayer, something we wanted to avoid.
'The preferred option for us would be to see the Town Hall renovated into a dual housing and community use facility. We are all still in thank as no planning permission has been sought for yet."
Meanwhile, Cllr Anthony Jones has voiced strong disappointment and disbelief over the ongoing situation surrounding Ammanford Town Council's forced departure from the historic Town Hall building.
Speaking at a recent Town Council meeting, Cllr Jones said: "This building belongs to the people of Ammanford and the wider Amman Valley — taxpayers who have invested in it for generations.
'The way Ammanford Town Council has been treated throughout this process demonstrates a complete lack of respect and support from members of Carmarthenshire County Council."
Cllr Jones also highlighted the lack of engagement and transparency at higher levels, claiming that only one Member of the Senedd responded to the Town Council's correspondence.
He added: "Significant funding has been diverted toward the Town Hall situation — resources that could and should have been invested in local parks, green spaces, and other vital community assets."
'Ammanford Town Council remains committed to challenging the process and is calling for ministerial intervention.
"We will continue to fight our corner. Welsh Government Ministers must be informed and must conduct a formal review into the processes and procedures being carried out by Carmarthenshire County Council.'
Nevertheless, Carmarthenshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Linda Evans previously expressed how the plan to build eight additional affordable homes at Ammanford Town Hall was in place since February 2024 and how there was dialogue with the Town Council since this date to help them relocate to an alternative building.