28th March 2018

£200m life sciences village planned for Llanelli

Plans for a state-of-the-art life sciences business centre and assisted living centre on a 46-acre site near Llanelli have been lodged with Carmarthenshire Council.

The plans for the Llanelli Wellness and Life Science Village include 107,639 sq ft of business research space, a 177,604 sq ft health hub, and 118,403 sq ft of leisure space.

Subject to planning approval, work could start on the £200m development by the end of the year.

The life science and well-being village is aiming to create up to 2,000 high-quality, well-paid jobs over 15 years, helping give the local economy a £467m boost as part of the Swansea Bay City Deal

The scheme at Delta Lakes in Llanelli will also include a 370-bed residential care unit with facilities over 80,729 sq ft.

The care component would be made up of a 226-bed residential nursing care and specialist care unit and a 144-bed privately operated clinical rehabilitation unit.

Carmarthenshire County Council and Swansea Council will both consider the proposals, which come from Carmarthenshire County Council itself.

Cllr Emlyn Dole, Carmarthenshire Council leader, said:“A recent drop-in event held in Llanelli showed more than 90 per cent of people are either supportive or very supportive of the project, which is extremely encouraging because we’re determined to deliver this development for their benefit.”

The design and access statement, prepared by Arup said: “The proposals are based on a vision to create a new destination for wellbeing and leisure, delivering state-of-the-art sports and recreation facilities, promoting healthy and active lifestyles, and integrating facilities for healthcare, specialised care and later-life living at the heart of the community.

“The proposed design and layout of the site follows a context-led approach to masterplanning and embodies an ethos of creating a landscape-centred, healthy environment.

“The site layout creates a substantial car-free environment which will encourage outdoor recreational activities within a naturalistic environment for residents and visitors, as part of a ‘wellbeing’ experience.

“The design of buildings, streets and spaces sets out to create an environment which is memorable and easy to navigate, and which is safe, comfortable and inclusive for users.

“The masterplan represents an outline proposal which will continue to evolve as part of the planning and design process. This will include the development of more detailed proposals for buildings and landscape which create a landmark development of the highest quality for Llanelli, and which deliver a sustainable future for the site.”