CURRENT NEWS
Reservoir - Visitor Numbers
August - 12002
L2 - Bus Service
We all feel the bus service isn't what it should be up here in Swiss Valley. I've again approached the bus company and Carmarthenshire County Council and had an encouraging reply as to the L2 bus route that services Swiss Valley. I was unaware of the changes to its funding until this reply and I've asked for passenger numbers to give us an idea of how many people use it.
The L2 service is being reviewed and I'm advised it may become a circular route, with increased services (we certainly dont want any more decreases) tying it in with the new leisure centre in Delta Lakes, Machynys. I'm giving this news a cautious welcome and you can read the full reply below. As always I'll be monitoring the route review and update you when I know more.
Response to Cllr Giles Morgan regarding enquiry on future of L2 service:
The service has historically been provided on a commercial basis, so without any Local Authority involvement. Since COVID the usage of the service has, according to the operator, reduced significantly and has been receiving Welsh Government support in order to continue.
From 1st April this year Welsh Government changed the way in which the services they have been funding directly are managed, so the service is now operated under contract to ourselves on behalf of WG using their funding. We would therefore be due to receive current usage data at some point, but nothing with which to compare to previous years.
We do have ambitions to increase the frequency of the service. The bus currently interworks with service L1, which we have been asked to enhance to serve the Pentre Awel development, so are looking to run both L1 and L2 services as a continuous circular “cross town” service meaning that L2 would benefit from the same increase in frequency as L1. We are waiting for confirmation that the bus operator has the resources to provide the enhanced service and will hopefully be developing this further in the coming months.
Royal Visit - 10-9-24
Both the pupils and staff, together with governors of the school thoroughly enjoyed the visit of the Prince of Wales. The school was recognised for its achievements at this years Urdd along with new local celebrity Ruby Davies who won the recital for a welsh learner in the year 5/6 category. The pupils rehearsed really hard before the visit and the day itself passed in the blink of an eye. It was a wonderful experience I'm sure we'll all cherish but most importantly the staff and pupils deserved it.
Disabled Facilities
Thanks to Llanelli Rotary Club for their fundraising activity, raising over £5000 for assistive changing facilities at Swiss Valley Reservoir. The reservoir project carries on but money is not infinite so donations such as this are very welcome and much appreciated. Thank you Llanelli Rotarians.
Thanks also to Ruby Davies and her parents from Swiss Valley school for her performance during the presentation.
2 Hilltop - Care home application - 2 Appeals
As of 12-9-24 there is still no date set for these appeals to be heard by the Planning Inspectorate for Wales. Check their website via the link below.
2 appeals have been lodged against the council's decision to refuse planning permission for a care home at 2 Hilltop. With each appeal you can view all the relevant documents on their website using the links below. If you feel you want to contact and be part of the appeal process please email planning inspectorate Wales from the details below. There are also 2 case references to track.
CAS-03268-H2K1J3
CAS-03272-F0F6Y7
1st Appeal
An appeal has been lodged with the Planning & Environment Decisions Wales
Apêl / Appeal: Written Representations
Apêl gan / Appeal by: Lee Roblin
Safle / Site: 2 Hill Top, Llanelli, SA14 8DF
Datblygu / Development: Change of use from residential (Class C3) to children's home (Class C2)
Cyfeirnod / Reference: CAS-03272-F0F6Y7
Dyddiad Dechrau’r Apêl / Appeal Start Date: 29/05/2024
Rheswm Apêl / Appeal Reason: The refusal of planning permission by this Council
2nd Appeal
An appeal has been lodged with the Planning & Environment Decisions Wales
Apêl / Appeal: Written Representations
Apêl gan / Appeal by: Mr Lee Roblin
Safle / Site: 2 Hill Top, Llanelli, SA14 8DF
Datblygu / Development: Certificate of Lawful Development for the proposed use for up to 6 people as a single dwelling receiving care (Class C3(b))
Cyfeirnod / Reference: CAS-03268-H2K1J3
Dyddiad Dechrau’r Apêl / Appeal Start Date: 29/05/2024
Rheswm Apêl / Appeal Reason: The refusal of planning permission by this Council
Any comments made at the application stage for the appeal will be sent to PEDW (unless they are expressly confidential). If you want to make any additional comments (which must not exceed 3000 words), they must be sent to PEDW and received within 4 weeks of the starting date (above). Remember to include the Inspectorate’s reference, or the name of the appellant /appeal site address where the reference is not known.
Email your comments to: PEDW.Casework@gov.wales If comments are submitted to PEDW after the deadline they will be returned.
Please note that all available appeal documents including the Inspector’s decision letter can be viewed on the planning portal using the following link: https://planningcasework.service.gov.wales If you want to receive a copy of the appeal decision you must write to PEDW asking for one.
You can obtain a copy of the leaflet ‘A Guide to Engaging with Planning and Enviornment Decisions Wales’ through the Welsh Government website: http://gov.wales/planning-appeals-guidance-engaging-planning-and-environment-decisions-wales
Election Anniversary
As you may know I was your secretary on Swiss Valley Residents Association from 2002, fighting for various things for Swiss Valley and continuing at that time the fight to get our sewerage system adopted by Welsh Water, which subsequently happened having been fought for by many residents for some time . In 2004 I stood as a your INDEPENDENT candidate to be your Carmarthenshire County Councillor, and also your community councillor on Llanelli Rural Council. On Thursday June 10th 2004 we went to the polls and I was elected on this date 20 years ago. Its for others to judge of course but I hope that you feel I've made a small difference to our area and I've tried to look after Swiss Valley as best I could whilst in this role. The time has flown and I'd like to thank all who have supported me over this period, not least of all my family. I'm sure the everlasting memories for my Son's will be when asking "Where is Dad?" ... and my wife Claire replying, "he's in another meeting!"
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Main Road - Swiss Valley
You may have seen the traffic lights on the main Swiss Valley road recently. Work was being carried out to improve surface water drainage. During times of heavy rain (and we get plenty of it in Wales!) the drains couldn't cope and there was also a partial collapse in one drain. With the drain system not working 100% the water was not being shifted off the road so we hope the repairs that have been made will make the situation better.
Shops Area
Other than being told the shops will reopen at some stage I have no further update at present.
Road Surface - Ridgeway
I've met with engineers at this location and I have been advised they hope to resurface Ridgeway this financial year.
School Reception
Swiss Valley school will have a new reception area for the start of the 24/25 school year in September. Parents will already have seen new green fencing appear to make the path into the school more secure. This six figure investment is welcome and we will be excited to see it finished.
Car Park - Community Centre
Bollards have been placed at the community centre car park to prevent cars parking there long term. Several cars had notices placed on them and new signs were erected to try to improve the situation but when that failed the volunteer committee reluctantly acted. These cars were preventing patrons/classes of the community centre parking their cars there. The car park is private and despite us all using it, it has never been a public car park and the Community Centre volunteer committee have acted to allow its patrons to park securely when using its facilities.
National Forest of Wales
Our reservoir has been identified as being an area which may well lend itself to becoming part of the new national forest of Wales initiative. We are currently in discussions with Welsh Water, Natural Resources Wales and Llanelli Rural Council on this matter. Its very exciting but early days yet.
Planning Application PL/06834
On 5-2-24 we got notification that this application has been determined by Carmarthenshire County Council and refused. The applicant is proceeding with an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate of the Welsh Assembly Government. Please contact your Welsh parliament members to raise any concerns you may have.
Llanelli Constituency
Lee Waters (Labour)
Tel: 0300 200 7100
E-mail: Lee.Waters@senedd.wales
Cefin Campbell (Plaid Cymru)
E-mail: Cefin.Campbell@Senedd.Wales
Can I thank everyone who attended the public meeting on Friday 1st December. We all had an opportunity to have our say. Many well reasoned objections were submitted and the desired outcome of that meeting was arrived at.
PLANNING DECISION: APPLICATION REFUSED
Reservoir Visitor Information
Llanelli Rural Council has a great website detailing what is going on in the reservoir. Their site is well worth a visit.
Please visit Carmarthenshire County councils website below and take a video tour of our fantastic reservoir:
https://www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/explore/walking-in-carmarthenshire/swiss-valley-reservoir/
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Community Centre Hire
To hire Swiss Valley Community Centre please contact the booking secretary on 01554 784854
Address: Swiss Valley Community Hall, Heol Nant, Swiss Valley, Llanelli, SA14 8EH.
Hire cost of hall: £9 per hour. £40 for Parties (3 hours)
Further information can be found on Llanelli Rural Council's website:
https://www.llanelli-rural.gov.uk/community-facility/swiss-valley-community-centre/
