Llangennech Football Club currently plays the all but the odd home games at Llangennech Park, a pitch which is shared by the village rugby club and is used by the general public.

That means that we as a club alone have two sides playing regularly here on weekends.  The rugby club have sides at all ages training here most nights of the week, meaning that the pitch barely gets a rest.

Therefore the club has come to the conclusion that to further our promotion of football in the village we need our own facilities.

For the last decade or so, the club has been seeking land within the village with the potential to hold a full size soccer pitch with first class changing rooms and car parking space to boot.

Initially, land situated behind Pontarddulais Road was deemed to be ideal.  The club applied for planning permission with the following result:

PROPOSED FOOTBALL FIELD AT PT. ENC. 8737, OFF PONTARDDULAIS ROAD, LLANGENNECH, LLANELLI

Mr. Stuart Owen reminded Members that a site visit had been proposed in April 2001 but on arrival on site discussions between the residents and the applicant meant that the Board did not enter onto the site as there appeared to be an agreement that an alternative site would be more satisfactory. Since then all parties had sought other sites but none have become available. The applicant had now requested that as no alternative had become available that the original application be considered. Members were circulated with a plan of the proposed playing field. The Highways Authority were happy with the access subject to conditions. It was proposed to have landscaping between the car park and changing rooms and the dwellings with the pitch being sited on the other side of the changing rooms. Although the suggestion had been that the car park and changing rooms be positioned further away from the dwellings Mr. Stuart Owen felt that if the changing rooms were located close to the landscaping it would act as a buffer for any noise.

Mr. Stuart Owen reported that he had received a letter from the Local Member Councillor Mrs. Gwyneth Thomas who apologised for her absence but although recognised that there was a need for a football pitch in Llangennech, all attempts to find an alternative had failed. She had reservations regarding the chosen location, as there would be a loss of privacy and quiet to the street and on a highway safety ground as there could be on-street parking. Active negotiations were still continuing to find another location.

The Chair invited Mr. Eiddon Taylor on behalf of the residents to speak.

Mr. Taylor informed Members that he was representing over 30 residents who objected to the proposal. Although they recognised that the village needed a football pitch they objected to the location and layout on the grounds of road safety, litter, noise and security. Any footballs landing in the gardens could not only cause injury to people and children but also damage to properties. The erection of a fence at the bottom of the gardens did not appeal to residents as it would change the character of the area. Mr. Taylor also felt that the car parking area was inadequate and would result in cars being parked on the road which had been identified for traffic calming measures. The access road was opposite a children's playing area and with cars parked on the road then visibility for the house drives would be impaired. Mr. Taylor quoted an incident on a Saturday afternoon when the rugby team was playing at home, problems were encountered with cars being parked on the road even as far up as Pontarddulais Road. He felt that the Director of Social Care and Housing supported the noise nuisance and loss of quality of life due to whistles, foul language etc. which would be clearly audible within the houses. He enquired whether a risk assessment had been carried out as to the effect it would have on the area. He felt that a change of use from grazing to a playing field that schools could use as well as a gathering place for young people, would have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of residents to the area.

Mr. Stuart Owen reported that a petition in support of the proposal had been received that morning which contained hundreds of signatures, although some were from outside Llangennech.

The Chair invited Mr. Barry Williams on behalf of the Football Club to speak. Mr. Williams pointed out that the Planning Officers were happy with the parking arrangements and felt that it would be safe. He also pointed out that a colliery used to be sited nearby and it was now proposed to locate a coal tip there. He did not feel that this application would affect the value of the houses.

Mr. Stuart Owen reported that fencing should not be placed at the rear of the gardens but in fact behind the goal line adjacent to the pitch in order to protect both the cars and the gardens. He reiterated the fact that the Highways Authority were satisfied with the proposals and they met the criteria laid down in both the Local and County Planning Policies.

RESOLVED that the application be approved.

However the proceedings became stuck as it emerged that the club could not secure the necessary financing as they specified that we needed to own the land or have a lease from the council which is impossible as the land belongs to a local farmer.

The club has now turned its' attentions to a field adjacent to Penllwyngwyn Road.  This land is owned by the council and the club propose to lease it and gain planning permission to erect changing rooms and a car park adjacent to the proposed pitch itself.  This would make the club eligible for various grant schemes.

In November 2005, the club met with the Community and County Councils at the site of the proposed new pitch, and both gave their approval and backing to the project.

The club will actively seek planning permission and funding for the project to proceed before the farmer's lease runs to a close.

The pitch is vital to the future of the club and in particular the development of young players in the village.

July 2006:  Davies Richards Architects have been approached by the club to do the planning for the Penllwyngwyn site.  They have arranged a meeting with the Highways Agency to discuss transport access to the site.