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Delays hit council’s flagship £200m health, leisure and life sciences project in Llanelli

September 6, 2024

Delays in the £200m Health, Leisure, and Life Sciences Project in Llanelli

The anticipated opening of the first phase of a £200m health, leisure, and life science complex in Llanelli is facing a delay of three months. Carmarthenshire Council, leading and partially funding the Pentre Awel project, has attributed the setback to unfavorable weather conditions. Pentre Awel is a significant component of the Swansea Bay city region’s nine-city deal projects, encompassing four phases or zones. The initial zone includes the construction of a new leisure center in Llanelli.

  • Cllr Hazel Evans, the cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture, and tourism, expressed the council’s excitement for the upcoming phased opening of Pentre Awel. The leisure facilities, including a hydrotherapy pool, café, and Swansea University’s health and well-being academy, are set to open to the public in the spring of next year.
  • The construction delay is primarily due to unprecedented severe weather conditions. Despite the setback, the project remains on track for the handover from Bouygues UK to the county council early next year.

Lead contractor Bouygues UK confirmed their progress towards completing zone one within the expected 89-week timeframe. However, adverse winter weather conditions, including safety concerns restricting crane operations during high wind speeds and ten named storms, have impacted the construction schedule. Zones two and three of Pentre Awel will accommodate up to 370 assisted living units for individuals with varying care requirements and additional business spaces. Zone four will feature housing units and a hotel within the expansive complex, equivalent to 40 rugby pitches in size.

  • The funding for Pentre Awel is a combined effort from the council, regional public sector partners, the UK and Welsh governments, and the private sector to bring this ambitious project to fruition.

The Pentre Awel project aims to enhance the health, leisure, and life sciences infrastructure in Llanelli, offering modern amenities and accommodations for residents. While the initial construction phase faces a slight delay, stakeholders remain optimistic about the project’s eventual completion and the positive impact it will have on the region’s development.