Carmarthenshire Council explores former leisure centre for new Llanelli primary school

The search for a suitable site for Ysgol Dewi Sant primary school in Llanelli continues as Carmarthenshire Council explores the former leisure centre site

The search for an appropriate location for a new Ysgol Dewi Sant primary school in Llanelli remains ongoing, with no definitive decisions made thus far. The Carmarthenshire Council is currently conducting a feasibility study on the former Llanelli leisure centre site off Park Crescentfollowing the abandonment of previous plans.

This development comes after years of deliberation and shifting priorities, with various stakeholders expressing differing opinions on the best course of action for the school’s future. The council’s education cabinet member, Cllr Glynog Daviesrecently addressed these ongoing discussions during a full council meeting.

Historical context and previous plans

The journey to find a new site for Ysgol Dewi Sant began several years ago. In 2018, a plan to build the school on Llanerch recreational land was approved by the Welsh Governmentbut concerns from residents about flooding and other issues led to the project being put on hold.

By 2026, the council had shelved the £9.1m new-build scheme after consulting with school governors and staff, prompting a search for alternative sites.

The former leisure centre site emerged as a potential solution in, with Michael Bassettchairman of Ysgol Dewi Sant’s governing body, expressing pleasure at this development. However, the council has yet to make any final determinations regarding the site’s suitability.

Current feasibility study and council considerations

During the June 10 council meeting, Cllr Davies reiterated that no decisions had been made about the leisure centre site. He emphasized the importance of a thorough feasibility study to ensure any future proposal is sustainable and viable. ‘We all have to recognise the scale and complexity of that work,’ he stated, acknowledging the intricate nature of the project.

Cllr Davies also addressed criticisms about the pace of progress, noting that the process had been deliberate and careful. He recalled that Cllr Rob James, a Green Party councillor, had previously raised numerous questions about the Ysgol Dewi Sant project. While Cllr Davies believed the Llanerch site would have been an ‘excellent site,’ he acknowledged that the school would have opened its doors by now had the plans come to fruition.

The council’s cautious approach is driven by the need to ensure that any new site meets the school’s requirements and addresses the challenges highlighted in past inspections. A 2017 report by Estynthe Welsh inspection body, noted that Ysgol Dewi Sant had 467 pupils and that its buildings posed challenges in providing an appropriate learning environment. Although a subsequent inspection in 2026 praised the school’s positive attitudes to learning, it did not address the infrastructure concerns.

Looking ahead: priorities and timelines

As the feasibility study continues, the council faces pressure to provide a timeline for the project. Cllr James questioned whether Cllr Davies would feel like he had failed if a timeline wasn’t set out before the next year’s council elections, given that Ysgol Dewi Sant has been stated as his priority this term. Cllr Davies, however, remained firm in his stance, stating that it would be unwise to pre-empt the ongoing work and set out any timeline prematurely.

‘That is the situation,’ he concluded, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and careful approach to the project. The council’s commitment to finding a suitable site for Ysgol Dewi Sant remains steadfast, even as the search continues to evolve.