The dispute between council and residents over the Llandeilo Market Hall project has progressed after representatives met to discuss use of the building.

The meeting took place in Ammanford between Carmarthenshire County Council's regeneration team and representatives of the recent public meeting.

Christoph Fischer and Rob Jones were present, representing the public meeting held last week, where 56 attendees unanimously voted to propose changes to the plans.

Also present was Cllr Edward Thomas of the Llandeilo Ward.

He said: “It was a very productive meeting, with the county council officers highlighting the reasons why the plan to realign a cafe on the top floor were impractical at so late a stage.

“The plans produced by Carmarthenshire County Council in 2019-20 never included a cafe or restaurant on the top floor. The design submitted then envisaged a lower structure than the previous building or the plans considered by Dawnus.”

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As the two groups met up, the county council officers argued that:

  • Fresh Planning and Listed Building Consent would have to be obtained
  • The top floor is not equipped for a cafe with no mandatory ventilation. Also, the top floor was no longer suitable for public access. It was mentioned that the kitchen marked on the plans was a small staff kitchen only equipped for tea and coffee and space for a small microwave
  • The building is well advanced with completion due within two to three months. Any major alteration would cost more expense on a project already costing more than £4million
  • The deadline to validate and complete the project to satisfy the EU/WG grant monies is December 22, 2022 and any change to the project would jeopardise reaching the deadline

Cllr Thomas added: “Members of Llandeilo Town Council will be given access next week to see the property and understand the constraints on placing a cafe on the top floor and also see what an asset this building will be to the town after 20 years of lying empty.

“The building is attracting interest from a wide variety of businesses, and the formal tendering process will start shortly.”