A Renewal Area is a means of co-ordinating funding services in a defined geographical area where it is recognised that there are housing, social and environmental problems.
Renewal Areas aim to effect the comprehensive revitalisation of an area, bringing about improvements to homes, shops, other commercial premises, the local environment and the infrastructure.
A positive impact on health and well-being is an essential target and every opportunity will be taken to utilise the community. This is achieved by all Local Authority departments working in partnership with the private sector, other public bodies and most importantly, the local community to develop co-ordinated strategies to tackle the problems identified by the people who live and work in the area.
Renewal Areas have proved to be extremely successful in Wales in tackling problems of deprivation that exist in certain areas, by creating truly confident and sustainable communities.
Area Renewal is a 10 year improvement strategy and its objectives can be summarised as follows:
Provide focus and commitment to improving the area.
Provide the mechanism to deliver improvements and investment
Demonstrate the Authorities commitment to the area and its residents.
Enable community and economic development.
Improving the housing conditions by eliminating unfitness and disrepair, this will form a key part of the regeneration process, it will also support the aim of meeting the Welsh Housing Quality Standard in the area by 2012.
Encourage private sector investment as well as public investment to improve environmental conditions and the general community.
Encourage partnerships between the Authority, Local Health Board, Communities First, Objective One, WDA, Registered Social Landlords, Private Investors and the local residents to maximise investment and realise the full potential of the area.
- Protect the future of the area and allow the local community to shape the future of the area.
Carmarthenshire County Council has currently got two declared Renewal Areas:
Upper Brynamman declared 22nd March 2004 (ten year programme)
- Lower Gwendraeth declared 14th November 2005 (ten year programme) – this covers the Wards of Kidwelly and Trimsaran.
If you wish to receive a copy of the declaration report please contact the Area Renewal Team.
What type of work will be carried out?
Group Repair / Block Repair will be undertaken to renovate the external fabric of some streets in the area which have been designated as Group Repair streets in the declaration report. Most typically this would involve the renewal of roof coverings, re-rendering, fitting of uPVC windows and doors and renewal of fascia boards, soffits and rainwater goods.
In Upper Brynamman the following streets have been identified as meeting the criteria for Group Repair: Chapel Street, Quarry Road, Mountain Road, New Road, Station Road, Hall Street, Coronation Road, Bryn Avenue and Bryn Bach Road.
In the Lower Gwendraeth Valley the following streets have been identified: in Trimsaran the streets of Garden Suburbs, Heol Morlais and 8-22 Heol Llanelli, and in Kidwelly the streets of Hillfield Villas, Gwendraeth Town, Ferry Road, Bridge Street, Morfa Lane, Abbey Street.
Properties that are not situated in designated Group Streets are eligible for Assistance under the Authority’s Renewal Policy, you can apply either by contacting our call centre on 01267 234567 or through completing the application form above.
Will I have to pay towards works carried out on my home?
If you are eligible for works to be carried out to your home, you will be required to contribute towards the cost of works carried out to your property on a Group Repair or Block Repair scheme. The maximum payable by a home owner participating in a scheme is 25% of the total value of works, dependant upon your financial situation it is possible that you will not have to contribute anything at all. Landlords will pay 25% towards the cost of works
Properties that are not situated in designated Group Streets will be offered assistance in line with the Renewal Policy.