Public involved in developing unique Wellness & Life Science Village plans

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The public have been invited to help develop the plans for the unique multi-million-pound wellness and life science village planned for Delta Lakes in Carmarthenshire later this month.

ARCH Wellness Village

The village is being led by Carmarthenshire Council in partnership with ARCH (A Regional Collaboration for Health).  Swansea University is a partner in ARCH along with ABM and Hywel Dda University Health Boards. ARCH is working to improve the health, wealth and wellbeing of South West Wales.

The public are being invited along to the Morfa Social Club on Monday, October 23 between 12pm and 8pm to have their say on the unique plans for the site.

The village will provide a ‘world class’ wellness and life science facilities along the Llanelli coastline bringing together new sport and leisure facilities, business and research opportunities, education and training, as well as health and wellbeing services and assisted living accommodation set within an attractive lakeside environment.

It aims to improve the wellbeing of people across the region, creating up to 2,000 high quality, well paid jobs and boosting the economy by £467 million over 15 years.

The event is being held so that residents can find out more about the development and how they as individuals and as a community can benefit. They will be able to view the masterplan for the site, speak to members of the project team and give their feedback to help shape the vision for the Village before an outline planning application on the proposals is submitted.Swansea University’s Vice-President Professor Marc Clement said it was vital the public are part of this project.

Professor Marc ClementProfessor Clement said: “This is the largest ever regeneration project in South West Wales. The proposals include an Institute of Life Science for the Hywel Dda area with laboratory and clinic space and an incubation facility for business start-up, research and development.

“Innovation is essential to meet the NHS's challenges and the university sees itself as a conduit. We are seeing a level of interest that I haven't seen in my career previously.”

Carmarthenshire Council Leader Emlyn Dole said: “We are very excited to share our plans to create a Wellness and Life Science Village at Delta Lakes which will see more than £200million being invested in the area. It really is a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to integrate a range of services which will deliver transformational social and economic benefits for local communities.

“Alongside the job creation, the site will provide facilities for education, training and skills. The Village will build on the success of the Institute of Life Science (ILS) at Swansea University attracting private sector investment which will create good quality, well-paid jobs across a range of professions and boosting the economy.

“One of the main aims of the project is to put the person at the centre of health care with a focus on promoting healthy independent living through the provision of sports and leisure facilities alongside healthcare services.

“And one of the key benefits of the development will be the ample outdoor space for public use, with a network of pedestrian paths, an enhanced lake environment for leisure activities and an improved natural habitat for all to enjoy.”

Work has officially started at Delta Lakes with initial ground works underway to support the ‘once in a lifetime’ future development of the Llanelli Waterside Joint Venture land. Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd has been appointed to carry out the site preparation works following a competitive tender exercise using the council’s contractor framework.

The village is also a key project for the Swansea Bay City Region and is earmarked to receive £40million as part of the £1.3billion City Deal funding. The Swansea Bay City Deal is a £1.3billion investment that will transform the economic landscape of the area, boosting the local economy by £1.8billion, and generating almost 10,000 new jobs over the next 15 years.

The Swansea Bay City Region Board includes four local authorities – Carmarthenshire Council, Swansea City Council, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Pembrokeshire County Council - together with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and Hywel Dda University Health Boards, Swansea University and the University of Wales Trinity St David’s, and private sector companies.