Restorations planned for unsafe harbour walls

HARBOUR walls deemed a risk to the public and boat users in Burry Port are to be repaired and restored.

Carmarthenshire Council has submitted a planning application to carry out work to the West Dock, East Dock and Outer Harbour.

Some sections will have to be partially demolished then rebuilt.

The aim is to start on site this coming winter, although a number of consents are required, in part because the harbour is grade two-listed.

The East Dock walls have been closed for safety reasons, said the council, while parts of the Outer Harbour walls are collapsing.

And areas of the West Dock are also showing signs of deterioration.

The council’s planning application form said: “Sections of the harbour walls are unsafe and are a risk to the general public and boat users.

“If these sections are not carefully taken down they will collapse into the harbour.”

The council’s head of leisure, Ian Jones, said it had a statutory responsibility to maintain the harbour walls, and that contractors would be commissioned once all the permissions were in place.

Mr Jones said: “Once these works are completed, responsibility for future maintenance will transfer across to Burry Port Marina Ltd, which now manages the harbour on behalf of Carmarthenshire Council on a long-term lease.”

Other developments planned for the area include a new lifeboat station, a new cafe and restaurant, and maina offices.

And the council is acquiring an adjacent plot of land – formerly a zinc oxide factory – with the aim of speeding up the development of new housing and some retail.

Mr Jones added: “Future developments around the harbour are not dependent upon the harbour wall works being completed, however, they do form part of the wider regeneration masterplan.”

Pembrey and Burry Port town councillor Robert John said of the county council’s harbour wall scheme: “Anything they do to regenerate and renew (the harbour) is more than welcome.”