Parking and solar farm plans for crematorium land

LAND next to Llanelli Crematorium could be transformed into an overspill car park and also serve as a solar farm at the same time.

Plans for the combination of parking and solar energy will go before Carmarthenshire Council’s planning committee in the near future to be discussed and decided upon.

The application argues the 0.95-hectare piece of land, south of the crematorium at Penprys Road in Dafen, offers a strategic gateway to the town and is ripe for future development. It is currently agricultural land.

The car park itself would be an overspill to the crematorium, which over the years has seen cars parking along the

A4183 between the crematorium and roundabout for large funerals.

A covering letter by JCR Planning within the planning application states the overspill car park will have 144 spaces and will “fully address these congestion problems”.

“Pedestrian linkages will be provided between the proposed car park and the crematorium.

“It is anticipated that the existing crematorium car park will continue to serve the majority of funerals, with the proposed car park utilised as overspill for larger congregations.” A new access road would also be created to the site.

Turning to the solar panels, the letter said: “As part of the applicant’s desire to create a carbon neutral commercial park at this location, it has been decided to provide solar voltaic panels within the car park itself.

“This novel ‘aerial’ solution will mean no reduction in the amount of available parking space. The arrays will, however, provide cover for users during periods of inclement weather.

However, the application concedes there is no definite long-term plan for the site in terms of scope and any commercial use.

“In view of the current pandemic, the need for investment at locations such as this does not require any elaborate justification.”

The planning application will be discussed shortly.