Llanelli’s Drug & Alcohol Service (DDAS) was originally proposed to move to the former WRW Anchor Point office at North Dock. However, more than 200 people had protested against Hywel Dda University Health Board’s plans amid claims the centre would pose a danger to local residents, particularly with its proximity to a nearby playground.
Carmarthenshire Council’s planning committee subsequently rejected the proposals, and despite the health board planning to appeal the decision, the building was leased to Threshold DAS, an organisation aimed at supporting people affected by domestic abuse.
The service, which provides support for over-18s from the first floor of Boots on Vaughan Street in Llanelli Town Centre, isn’t considered ideal due to the council’s town centre regeneration plans.
Still looking for a new home for the DDAS, the County Council was reported to be considering its Ty’r Nant property in Trostre after it rejected proposals by supermarket Lidl to build a new store on the site, along with a drive-through Tim Hortons coffee outlet.
The move to Trostre was supported by local independent councillors Sean Rees and Louvain Roberts, who were part of the campaign against the service being located in North Dock.
However the Labour Llanelli Town Council leader and County Councillor, David Darkin has claimed his fellow councillors were trying to “offload” the drug rehabilitation centre to a different ward, and said that he had to learn of the proposals through the media rather than being informed by Carmarthenshire Council – despite being the local elected member.
Mr Darkin said: “Trostre is a thriving retail hub, predominantly accessed by car, too far away from the population that need to access the service. A cynical person may suggest the Sean and Louvain were trying to offload a difficult matter to a different ward without giving careful consideration.
“We need DDAS, they provide an essential service and they do a fantastic job; Our community would be much poorer without them. Llanelli needs the service to be located somewhere that works for the service users and the community. For many years, I’ve suggested that the key stakeholders such as DDAS, CCC, LTC, Police and HDUHB meet and agree a location.
“Despite being an elected member for this ward, I learnt about this proposal through the media, not from CCC. This isn’t good enough; CCC should properly consult with the people of Llanelli, not just make decisions from Carmarthen.”
Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Director of Strategy and Planning Lee Davies said: “The area planning board is continuing the search for a suitable premises for our intended health improvement and wellbeing centre and the Ty’r Nant building is one of those under consideration.
“No decisions have been made yet as consideration of feasibility of this potential venue is at an early stage. However, we continue to believe a new health improvement and well-being centre in Llanelli is essential to the health board’s strategy of shifting services from treating illness, to promoting and supporting wellness, working with partners, patients and public to enable our community to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and tackle the leading causes of preventable ill health and early death.”
Swansea Bay News has asked Cllrs Sean Rees and Louvain Roberts.
