Residents’ concern over disused land

RESIDENTS in an area of Kidwelly have raised concerns over land behind their homes that was once a children’s play area but is now disused and overgrown, they claim.

People living in Clos y Derwen and Clos y Celyn have met with town mayor Phil Thompson and local MP Nia Griffith, to discuss the future of land.

This is land behind houses in Rhodfa’r Gwendraeth, Clos yr Onnen, Clos y Derwen and Clos y Celyn off Priory Street.

For a number of years, residents say they have been disappointed that the former play area has been left to become a wilderness, as they describe it.

Summing up the meeting, Ms Griffith said: “It has taken a long time to find out what exactly happened to this land.

“As some residents will remember, in order to meet planning conditions, the housing developers created this space and provided play equipment, but we have recently received confirmation in writing that not only did Carmarthenshire Council never in fact take over ownership of the land, but that they now intend to do so.”

She added: “While residents have understandably felt let down by the county council, they are anxious to see progress, so the meeting agreed that the way forward would be to approach Kidwelly Town Council to take over the land.

“Then Richard Williams of the Tycroes Group has offered to look at clearing the land, once the town council had agreed to undertake the ongoing maintenance.”

Kidwelly mayor, councillor Phil Thompson added: “We know that the county council is not looking to take on any new parks, quite the opposite in fact – they are busy transferring assets to local town councils.

“So one solution, and probably the most practical one, would be for Kidwelly Town Council to take over the maintenance of the land.

“This would ensure that the land is in the ownership of a statutory body.

“As a result of the meet- do not ing we had, I will be approaching the town council to take it over.

“As town councillors we very much like to work with the community, so the next step could be working with local residents to try and secure some funding to enhance the area and acquire play equipment.”

Carmarthenshire Council head of planning, Llinos Quelch, said: “A play area at this location was a requirement of planning approval in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

“An equipped play area was provided by the developer in 1995, thus fulfilling the planning requirement.

“The play area was maintained by the local authority until it was later established that it had not been transferred and remained in private ownership.

“The play equipment was later removed, and the land remains in the ownership of the developer.

“We understand that the developer does not wish to retain the land and is open to discussing transfer options with the local community.”