Llanelli Star

HOMES TO SURVIVE ESTATE DEMOLITION

- CONOR GOGARTY Reporter conor.gogarty@walesonlin­e.co.uk

A CRUMBLING council estate will be almost completely demolished.

The only properties set to remain standing in Llanelli’s Brynmefys estate are the three occupied houses and the ones adjoining them.

Built in the 1950s, Brynmefys was once a bustling neighbourh­ood but now 29 of its 32 houses are derelict.

Roofs have wasted away, dense weeds have crept through smashed windows, some lanes have been sealed off, and fly-tipping has been a recurring problem.

The three families still living on the estate have all been there since the ‘70s. Though the council owns the Brynmefys land, the occupied homes are owned by the residents.

Carmarthen­shire Council has now announced it will knock down the majority of the estate having consulted with the residents, who are “supportive”.

A council spokespers­on said the demolition has been scheduled for November 2023 due to “ecological issues on the site and the ecological mitigation measures that will need to be completed”. They added: “Existing residents on Brynmefys are fully aware of the plans and are supportive.”

A CRUMBLING council estate will be almost completely demolished.

The only properties set to remain standing in Llanelli’s Brynmefys estate are the three occupied houses and the ones adjoining them.

Built in the 1950s, Brynmefys was once a bustling neighbourh­ood but now 29 of its 32 houses are derelict.

Roofs have wasted away, dense weeds have crept through smashed windows, some lanes have been sealed off, and fly-tipping has been a recurring problem.

The three families still living on the estate have all been there since the ‘70s. Though the council owns the Brynmefys land, the occupied homes are owned by the residents.

Carmarthen­shire Council has now announced it will knock down the majority of the estate having consulted with the residents, who are “supportive”. A council spokespers­on said the project is in the interests of “the residents themselves, the local community and the council”.

The Star asked if there are plans for the land after demolition, which is scheduled for November 2023.

The council has not yet responded but it has said new social housing would not be “feasible” due to the “location and cost of redevelopm­ent”.

Leslie Southam, who lives in a wellkept house on the estate with his parents, spoke to us last year about life in Brynmefys.

The then-53-year-old hotel cleaner said at the time: “To be honest it’s quite nice here. It’s quiet. My mum’s 80 and my dad’s 79. They like it here. I am past caring... Carmarthen­shire Council have been doing the same thing over and over for years. They seem to get money for this and that, then it disappears.

“We’ve had lots of different schemes but nothing has ever been done.”

Leslie recalled Brynmefys was “absolutely full with cars and people and children” when he arrived aged seven.

He said many residents moved out in the late ’80s and the council did not replace the tenancies because it had a scheme for the site to be redevelope­d.

By the time funding fell through, many houses were derelict and unfit to be rented, said Leslie.

He said Brynmefys was not built to last, with sewage issues reportedly putting off developers. Another obstacle was the bats – a protected species – living in the empty properties. The council reportedly spent £60,000 building a bat house which Leslie said had always been empty.

A council spokespers­on said: “[The neighbouri­ng estate] Maengwynne was refurbishe­d in the early 2000s.

“Due to the non-traditiona­l constructi­on of the properties on Brynmefys, however, they were unable to be refurbishe­d using the same method as that used in Maengwynne.

“The council bought the majority of owner-occupied homes in Brynmefys and found alternativ­e housing solutions for the residents. Some homeowners decided to stay at the estate.

“The council has tried to partner with private developers to develop the estate and, despite some interest, none have come to fruition.”

Leslie’s father bought their house in 1986 under Right to Buy. After most of the estate fell into dilapidati­on, the council said it gave three options to Leslie’s family and the other two households. The first was an offer for their house. The second was an offer for their house plus providing a council house. And the third was an offer for their house plus buying them a home of their choosing within a budget. The council said all were rejected. It has not disclosed the value of the offers.

Back in 2010 a housing associatio­n scrapped plans to build 103 affordable homes at the site. Six years later the council said it was in discussion­s with “a number of potential developers interested in Brynmefys” but none made a deal.

The council commission­ed an ecological report on the bat issue, which

came back earlier this year.

A council spokespers­on said the demolition has been scheduled for November 2023 due to “ecological issues on the site and the ecological mitigation measures that will need to be completed”. They added: “Existing residents on Brynmefys are fully aware of the plans and are supportive.”

Speaking last year about his decision to stay in the neighbourh­ood, Leslie said: “It depends what you want in life. To be honest there isn’t much left in life I want. I am not into drinking, I don’t smoke, I don’t go out. As long as I can go and get food I am quite happy.”

He also said his decision had been influenced by his belief that the apocalypse was seven years away. You can read more about that here.

The council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for homes Linda Evans said: “I am glad that, after a number of attempts to try to redevelop, we are finally able to progress with the work of improving the Brynmefys estate for its existing residents and the neighbouri­ng community.

“I acknowledg­e that this process may take a bit more time because of the need to protect the wildlife but I am pleased we now have clear plans in place.”

 ?? JONATHAN MYERS ?? Unoccupied homes on the Brynmefys estate are set for demolition.
JONATHAN MYERS Unoccupied homes on the Brynmefys estate are set for demolition.
 ?? ?? How the Brynmefys esate on the outskirts of Llanelli looked last year.
How the Brynmefys esate on the outskirts of Llanelli looked last year.
 ?? ?? Leslie Southam in front of his Brynmefys home in 2021.
Leslie Southam in front of his Brynmefys home in 2021.
 ?? JONATHAN MYERS ??
JONATHAN MYERS

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