Artist’s impression of what the outside of the Goods Shed building could look like
The ambitious Llanelli Goods Shed project has taken another giant step forward.
Planning permission and Listed Building Consent has been granted for the Grade II historic building.
“It’s another significant move along the tracks for the project,” said the chairman of the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust, Llanelli MP Nia Griffith.
“Over the course of the last two years we have been rewarded with more than £100,000 of development cash from different grant funders.
“That money has been put to good use and has enabled us to carry out a whole range of site surveys and progress our planning application.
“Our architects, Davies Sutton, of Cardiff, are recognised as one of the finest in the UK in the field of renovating historical buildings.
“The Goods Shed building in Marsh Street is currently derelict, but Davies Sutton have developed innovative and creative plans to transform a building which was built in 1875 and is a classic example of the Brunel style of architecture.”
The Goods Shed is deceptively spacious, with an office block the size of a small community centre at one end, a vast cathedral-like main space, a full-height basement running the length of the building, and plenty of land outside to provide both off-street parking and activity areas.
Currently, plans for renovating the site include space for business start-ups, a community café, heritage area with a real locomotive in situ, arts rehearsal and workshop space, video-making facilities, exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, training and work opportunities and community garden.
Goods Shed Trust secretary Richard Roper said: “This is the largest independent project of its kind in West Wales. Our two main objectives are to save and restore a truly historic site (the shed is believed to be the last surviving building of its kind in Wales) and then develop a significant community asset – something which will be a source of great pride to the people of Llanelli.
“Our current estimates put the cost of the project at £2.6million and we are now working hard to secure the all-important capital grand funding to enable the project to continue its progress.
“We are on the right tracks to creating something very special for Llanelli.
“Our grateful thanks go to the bodies who have supported us so far – the Architectural Heritage Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund (Wales), the Big Lottery CAT2 scheme, The Railway Heritage Trust and Carmarthenshire County Council.”
If you would like to find out more, or have suggestions to make about the project, please see the Goods Shed visit http://www.llanellirailwaygoodsshedtrust.org.uk/ or contact project officer on Robert Lloyd on [email protected] and 07777 683637
Facebook: Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust
Twitter: @LlanelliRGST
