Older persons housing for former Carmarthen Lidl site

Wales & West Housing is planning a new development of homes for older people close to the centre of Carmarthen.

Plans have been submitted to Carmarthenshire County Council to demolish the former Lidl store at Priory Street and redevelop the site with 47 apartments for over 55s and supported accommodation.

The homes proposed will provide much-needed, modern energy-efficient homes for rent close to the town centre and local facilities.

The apartments are designed in blocks of 1 and 3-storeys with balconies overlooking a central garden area. The communal gardens would provide a herb and sensory garden, a central recreational area and patio area for the people living there to enjoy and make friends while promoting social inclusion. The plan also provides 7 apartments for supported living and the potential for a live-in carer.

Gareth Thomas, Regional Development Manager at Wales & West Housing said: “This is an exciting project that will meet the demand for modern, contemporary homes for older people.

“We have worked closely with Carmarthen County Council’s housing team to design a scheme that meets the housing needs of the local community. As a result, we have included seven apartments which could be used by the local authority for supported living or step-down accommodation for older people leaving hospital.

“The scheme is designed with calm and pleasant outdoor spaces that will create a sense of community and belonging, while giving residents the privacy and safety of their own apartments. Residents will be able to use the gardens to meet and socialise with their neighbours to reduce isolation and promote social inclusion.”

“We are suggesting a bowling green to give the residents an area where they can enjoy activities, but that could easily be a lawned area depending on what the people living there would like to see.

“We want to create homes that local people are proud to live in and find easy to maintain and affordable to run.”

The local authority carried out a consultation on the plans at the end of December and are expected to consider the application later this summer.

If the plans are approved, work is expected to start on site by the end of the year with the development open to residents in 2023.

(Lead image: Google Maps)