A GROUP set up to save Ammanford College from closure has called on education minister Lynne Neagle to meet with them over the plans.

In February, Coleg Sir Gâr announced that its Ammanford campus may close as part of plans to develop a “world-class campus development” at Pibwrlwyd and secure the college’s financial future.

In a statement, the college said the proposals had been “carefully considered”, and would allow it to “address the current challenges of an aging estate” and “ensure future financial stability”.

Coleg Sir Gâr said that the investment in the Pibwrlwyd campus would “provide a contemporary, technologically-driven sustainable learning environment”.

The proposed Pibwrlwyd campus development would receive Welsh Government funding through the Mutual Investment Model, which then-education minister Jeremy Miles said would “provide state of the art facilities” as well as “additional recreational and wellbeing facilities”.

A group has since been set up to try and save the Ammanford campus, and Adam Price MS said he has had a request to meet with Ms Neagle rejected.

“It is vital that the cabinet secretary meets with all relevant stakeholders before making a decision on this project,” Mr Price said.

“This is a topic that has united all political parties locally and we have been working collaboratively to save the campus.

“The college is so important to the town, yet there has been little to no consultation with the people that the closure will affect the most.

“I sincerely hope that this second invitation to meet with a local delegation is accepted so that we can have a position discussion and secure the continued provision of further education on the town.”

Calum Higgins, a Labour member of Ammanford Town Council, said: “The feelings of local residents on the closure of Ammanford College have been made clear at public meetings and online.

“It is vital that Coleg Sir Gâr now engages with the people of the Amman Valley to ensure that we can provide a future for the Ammanford campus.

“I hope the Cabinet Secretary will be open to meeting a cross-party delegation to discuss a positive future for further education in Ammanford.”

The South Wales Guardian asked the Welsh Government’s department for education whether Ms Neagle would meet a local delegation about their concerns over the closure of the Ammanford campus, and whether the minister would go on to speak about these concerns with Coleg Sir Gâr.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Colleges are responsible for the strategic management of their estate and closing any campus or facilities is a local decision which does not require approval from the Welsh Government.”