Canolfan Pentre Awel opens its doors in Llanelli after years of anticipation

Residents and local sports clubs were the first through the doors of Canolfan Pentre Awel on Wednesday (15 October), the flagship first phase of the 83‑acre development at Delta Lakes.

The centrepiece leisure hub boasts a 25‑metre, eight‑lane swimming pool, learner pool, hydrotherapy pool, cutting‑edge gym, eight‑court sports hall, and dedicated spin and dance studios. Community spaces, meeting rooms, a café, and scenic coastal paths also form part of the new facility.

A milestone for Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire Council leader Cllr Darren Price hailed the opening as “a clear example of what we can achieve through collaboration across services, sectors, and communities.”

Cabinet member Cllr Hazel Evans described the centre as “a cornerstone of our vision for a stronger, healthier Carmarthenshire,” adding that it was designed to be “centred around our community and a true example of what can be achieved when all sectors come together.”

The £40m Swansea Bay City Deal contribution, alongside funding from UK and Welsh Governments and the council, has underpinned the project.

From Tinopolis to Breezy Village

19th Century – Tinopolis
Llanelli earned the nickname ‘Tinopolis’ as it became a global centre of tinplate production. Families worked in hot, dangerous conditions producing tinplate for everything from food cans to toys. Felinfoel Brewery even filled the first tinplate beer cans in Britain.

1861 – Brickworks
William Thomas established a brickworks on the Delta Lakes site, using rich clay deposits. He also built workers’ housing known as Brick Row to support Llanelli’s early growth.

Late 19th to mid-20th Century – Tinplate Works
The South Wales Tinplate Works, founded by Edward Moorewood and John Rogers, dominated the area with mills, rail sidings and loading bays. Expanded in 1911, the works thrived until post-war decline led to demolition by 1951.

1960s–1990s – Delta Lakes
As heavy industry faded, the former shipping channel was landscaped into Delta Lakes. New paths and roads were laid, including the roundabout still seen today.

2025 – Pentre Awel
The site is reborn as Canolfan Pentre Awel, a £218m wellness village. Its name, meaning “Breezy Village”, reflects the coastal setting, while the architecture pays tribute to the area’s industrial heritage with light‑filled spaces and natural materials designed to “bring the outside in”.

End of an era for Jubilee Pool

The opening also signals the closure of Llanelli Leisure Centre and Jubilee Pool, which had served the town since 1963.

Llanelli Amateur Swimming Club marked the moment by becoming the last to train at the old pool and the first to dive into the new one. Club secretary Nicola Morris said the move offered “security” after years of uncertainty caused by repairs and closures.

Lifeguard Teyan Burt reflected on the handover as “the end of an era,” paying tribute to the centre’s 62 years of service.

Mixed community reaction

While many residents welcomed the state‑of‑the‑art facilities, others voiced concerns about the project’s cost and location.

Town centre traders Jane McDonald and Becky Foden told the BBC they feared the out‑of‑town site could draw footfall away from the market and high street. “It looks all right [but] it’s a lot of money,” said Becky. “What about our market? And our town centre?”

By contrast, Edward Morgan, 82, from Burry Port, said he was optimistic: “I think it’s certainly an improvement from the old swimming pool… I plan to use the onsite healthcare facilities for my regular blood tests.”

What’s next

The wider £218m Pentre Awel project will be delivered in phases over the coming years. Plans include 370 assisted living units, healthcare and research facilities, business incubation space, housing, a nursing home, and a hotel.

Spanning an area equivalent to 40 rugby pitches, the development is billed as the first of its kind in Wales, bringing together health, leisure, business, and community services on one coastal site.

An official opening ceremony with UK and Welsh Government representatives is expected later this year.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Llanelli Leisure Centre could become new home for Ysgol Dewi Sant
Plans are being considered to repurpose the old leisure centre following the move to Pentre Awel.

Plans submitted for new 120-bed hotel on Llanelli’s coast
A major new hotel development is proposed as part of the wider regeneration of the town’s waterfront.

Construction starts on Llanelli’s Pentre Awel wellness village
Work began on the landmark £200m project at Delta Lakes.

Planning approved for Llanelli’s multi-million pound Pentre Awel development
Councillors gave the green light for the ambitious scheme at Delta Lakes.

Council appoints contractor to deliver Llanelli’s Pentre Awel scheme
The main contractor was confirmed to lead the first phase of the project.

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Plans lodged for new Morriston Hospital access road and major campus expansion

The proposals include a full application for a 1.57km access road from junction 46 of the M4 and outline plans for a major expansion of Morriston Hospital’s clinical and research facilities.

The health board says the scheme is designed to meet rising demand for acute and specialist care, tackle waiting lists, and modernise facilities. It follows the 2021 City Deal‑backed vision for a life sciences and innovation campus at Morriston.

New access road from Felindre

The proposed single‑carriageway road would run north of Pant‑lasau Road to a new roundabout at the hospital’s northern edge. It includes a shared active‑travel path, sustainable drainage features, and new planting to reduce visual impact.

The health board says the route will ease congestion on existing approaches, improve blue‑light access to the Emergency Department, and support future public transport links from Felindre.

Campus‑style hospital expansion

The outline masterplan sets out a phased redevelopment to create an integrated “Morriston Health Campus” with new clinical, research and support buildings arranged around landscaped public spaces.

Key elements include:

• Critical Care Centre with new Emergency Department and theatres (18,000m²)
• Regional South Wales Thoracic Surgery Centre (5,000m²)
• New ward block providing six wards (9,000m²)
• Institute for Life Sciences (6,000m²) in partnership with Swansea University
• Three regional support service buildings, expanded energy and waste centres
• A central biophilic park and public arrival plaza

The design aims to connect the hospital more closely with its landscape, retain existing trees and hedgerows, and improve pedestrian and cycle links across the site.

Sustainability and access

The plans include renewable energy measures such as roof‑mounted solar panels and heat pumps, plus sustainable drainage systems designed for future climate conditions.

A relocated helipad on the roof of the Critical Care Centre is proposed to speed transfers from air ambulance to the Emergency Department.

Next steps

The application will be considered by Swansea Council. If approved, the access road would be built first, with hospital expansion phases following.

The health board says the development will “significantly enhance the hospital’s functionality, aesthetic appeal, and sustainability, making it a valuable asset to the community.”

#AccidentAndEmergency #biophilicPark #EmergencyDepartment #featured #Felindre #helipad #Junction46 #LifeSciences #M4 #MorristonHealthCampus #MorristonHospital #PantlassauRoad #PlanningPermission #SwanseaBayCityDeal #SwanseaBayNHS #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaUniversity #ThoracicSurgery

Crown Estate funds new offshore wind supply chain programme in South Wales amid calls for devolution

The initiative, unveiled during a showcase event at the Senedd, will see £100,000 in funding provided to the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult to deliver a dedicated supply chain programme in the Swansea Bay City Region. The funding will be matched by the Swansea Bay City Deal, which is co-funded by the Welsh and UK governments.

Delivered through the Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme, the scheme will run for up to 18 months, helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop the skills and capacity needed to support the emerging floating offshore wind industry in the Celtic Sea.

Rebecca Williams, Director, Devolved Nations at The Crown Estate, said: “SMEs are a core driver of Wales’s economy. The F4OR scheme with ORE Catapult will help businesses in South Wales take advantage of the many opportunities presented by the development of a new floating offshore wind industry in the Celtic Sea.”

Expressions of interest will open at the end of July via the ORE Catapult website, with applicants assessed on their potential to expand within the offshore wind supply chain and alignment with the Celtic Sea Blueprint.

Wider investment and strategic context

The announcement follows The Crown Estate’s proposal to invest up to £400m in the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, including a £50m Supply Chain Accelerator already supporting organisations in Wales such as Neath Port Talbot Group of Colleges, Pembrokeshire College, and Marine Power Systems Ltd.

It also comes on the heels of Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, which saw Equinor and Gwynt Glas (a joint venture between EDF Renewables UK and ESB) selected to develop two new floating wind farms in the Celtic Sea. The Crown Estate estimates the round could create 5,300 jobs and deliver a £1.4bn boost to the UK economy.

Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver lasting economic and social value for Wales. This important programme will support local companies bidding for work in the floating offshore wind industry.”

Calls for devolution of the Crown Estate

While the investment has been welcomed, it has also reignited calls for the devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales, a long-standing demand from campaigners and cross-party politicians.

The Crown Estate currently manages 65% of Wales’ foreshore and riverbeds and over 50,000 acres of land, with profits going to the UK Treasury. In contrast, Scotland gained control of its Crown Estate assets in 2017, allowing revenues to be reinvested locally.

Campaigns led by Plaid Cymru, Labour MPs, and grassroots organisations such as Siarter Cartrefi argue that Wales should benefit directly from the profits of renewable energy developments — particularly as the Celtic Sea becomes a hub for offshore wind.

A recent article by Bangor University’s Stephen Clear highlighted that despite Welsh Labour’s stated commitment to devolution, the new UK Government has not yet held discussions with Cardiff Bay on transferring powers. The Treasury’s Lord Livermore recently warned that creating a separate Welsh entity could “fragment the market” and “undermine investment in Welsh waters”.

Actor and activist Michael Sheen has also backed the campaign, saying Wales deserves the same opportunities as Scotland to reinvest in communities and tackle inequality.

#Business #CelticSea #CrownEstate #GwyntGlas #offshoreWind #SwanseaBayCityDeal #WindPower

Swansea gets mobile phone signal boost to tackle network congestion

Helping to tackle network congestion, the small cell sites have been introduced to boost the network capacity when needed so that people will be able to use their phones to make calls, send messages or go online when the city centre has more people visiting for events such as the Christmas parade and the Wales Airshow.

Delivered by Swansea Council in partnership with Freshwave and Virgin Media O2, the council say the project is part of a broader effort to position Swansea as a leading digital city.

It’s been led by the council’s digital champions, who have worked closely with Freshwave, Virgin Media O2 and other council departments to ensure there was minimal disruption for businesses and city centre visitors while the works have been carried out.

The project is part of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s digital infrastructure programme that’s aimed at boosting digital connectivity throughout South West Wales.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader and Chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Joint Committee, said: “We’ve all experienced times when we’re in busy places but can’t seem to send messages, make calls or use the internet from our phones because the network is too congested.

“This project is aimed at helping tackle that issue to meet the needs of residents and businesses.

“It also contributes to our ongoing commitment to make Swansea a digitally advanced city that will help attract more investment and jobs in future, while supporting innovation.

“We’re grateful to our partners Freshwave and Virgin Media O2 and for the support from the Swansea Bay City Deal’s digital infrastructure programme.”

Neil Barnes, Head of Partnerships at Freshwave, said: “We’re delighted to have played a role in this transformative project.

“The enhanced mobile connectivity resulting from Virgin Media O2’s investment will bring numerous benefits to the community and pave the way for future technological advancements.”

Pete Hollebon, Senior Planning Manager – Outdoor Small Cells, Virgin Media O2 – said: “Small cells are an effective way of increasing local network bandwidth and play an important role in allowing us to keep up with rising customer demand. These new sites will improve the reliability of our network in Swansea and provide a better experience for customers.

“Our Mobile Transformation Plan will see us invest £700m into our mobile network this year to ensure our customers consistently receive an exceptional network experience wherever they are and even at the busiest times.”

The project followed an open access agreement being signed, allowing mobile network operators to access and share council-owned assets for their digital infrastructure.

This is the first agreement of its kind in Swansea and the wider Swansea Bay City Region as a whole.

(Lead image: Pexels)

#CllrRobStewart #Freshwave #MobilePhone #smallCell #Swansea #SwanseaBayCityDeal #SwanseaCouncil #VirginMediaO2

Push to deliver more rural high-speed internet

Forming part of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s £25m digital infrastructure programme, a dedicated rural workstream aims to deliver high-quality connectivity to places where the cost of connecting homes and businesses would otherwise be too high for commercial investment alone to be viable.

Swansea Bay City Deal say that investing in high-speed broadband in rural communities across Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire would help enable the introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) technology to benefit businesses including farms.

This technology would help farmers monitor crops, livestock, machinery and environmental conditions remotely and in real time, potentially leading to improved decision-making, resource efficiency and cost savings.

Supporting initiatives such as UK Government’s Project Gigabit is also a key aspect of the digital infrastructure programme’s rural workstream. Local digital champions are on board to ensure communities are aware of when applications for voucher schemes are being accepted.

In addition to Government initiatives, the programme has developed the Better Broadband Infill Project, and a commercial partner is now being sought to build a gigabit-capable network to serve rural communities with broadband speeds of less than 30mbps which are not in existing commercial plans or interventions such as Project Gigabit.

With the rise of IoT in agriculture paired with the increased pressures to reduce waste and meet sustainability goals, access to high-speed internet will be critical for seamlessly connecting these technologies.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader and Chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Joint Committee, said: “As we look to a future where every industry, including agriculture, is seamlessly integrated into the digital economy, rural digital connectivity plays a pivotal role.

“The Swansea Bay City Deal digital infrastructure programme’s approach of working together with both the public and private sectors, alongside the UK and Welsh Governments, is providing vital support to ensure that farmers and rural communities are equipped with the tools needed to overcome the challenges of transitioning to an increasingly connected world.”

Rhys Jones, of Arwain DGC, said: “By collaboratively supporting investment in rural network connectivity, this will help to enhance livestock health, raise production efficiencies and harness the future economic sustainability of local Welsh farmers. Innovation and Technology will be invaluable to secure the reputation of Welsh agriculture as leaders in animal health and welfare.

“Rural connectivity is essential for long-term economic growth. When rural areas have access to reliable high-speed internet, it opens up a world of opportunities and empowers rural communities to become more resilient in the face of future challenges.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#ArwainDGC #broadband #CllrRobStewart #Farming #gigabitBroadband #internetOfThings #SwanseaBayCityDeal #Technology

More rural towns and villages set for broadband boost

The UK Government say the programme is a key component of its ‘Plan for Change’, designed to stimulate economic growth and remove barriers to opportunity, with a goal of achieving  as close to 100% gigabit coverage by 2030 as possible.

This latest rollout aims to ensure that harder to reach communities benefit from some of the fastest broadband speeds available, providing better access to essential services such as healthcare , remote education, and video calls. It also aims to support businesses to grow and provide better opportunities for young people to secure work locally.

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council and Chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s joint committee said: “This is fantastic news for the rural communities in our region who will benefit from this UK Government investment. The Swansea Bay City Deal is fully supportive of initiatives that directly better the lives of people and businesses and this is a great example of how investment into digital infrastructure can provide more opportunities both socially and economically to communities, who would have otherwise been left behind.”

The announcement is part of four new contracts worth over £289 million, aimed at delivering gigabit-capable broadband to around 131,000 additional homes and businesses across England and Wales.

Unlike existing copper-based networks, gigabit connections are less likely to slow down at peak times, meaning no more battling for bandwidth with neighbours. Gigabit networks can easily handle multiple devices simultaneously, allowing the whole family to surf, stream, and download seamlessly.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: “Powered by this UK Government investment, thousands more people and businesses across Wales will have access to ultra-fast broadband. Our top priority is to drive sustained economic growth. To achieve this, it is vital that every part of Wales has full coverage as quickly as possible to boost productivity in all our communities.”

#broadband #Carmarthenshire #CllrRobStewart #digitalInfrastructure #gigabitBroadband #NeathPortTalbot #Pembrokeshire #Swansea #SwanseaBayCityDeal