Llandovery forever
Local people in Llandovery are beginning an exciting journey to tackle the energy issues that matter most to them, as part of Energised Communities, a five-year programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Working together for a bright green future
Llandovery is a small market town in north-east Carmarthenshire. It has an attractive town centre, interesting history and an enviable natural environment. Despite decent transport links and a range of facilities, the town’s outlying districts are ranked in the bottom four per cent for access to services.
Local people have been actively involved in our seven-year Rural Futures programme that concluded in June 2024. One of it’s standout achievements was ‘Hybu’ — an initiative that increased community activities and boosted visitor spend through town centre events.
Building on that success, we’re back with a fresh brief to focus on the energy challenges that local people believe need to be tackled.
Peter Willis, Severn Wye’s place coordinator, is supporting the community to develop their ideas and turn them into practical projects, as part of the five-year Energised Communities programme running until 2029.
What matters to you?
The first consultation event in April created space for people to share their views relating to everyday life in Llandovery and their hopes for a more sustainable future. The discussions showed a strong understanding of local challenges and a wide range of ideas for how these could be addressed by practical community-based solutions.
Key topics raised included:
- the high cost of energy
- improving the energy efficiency of homes and community buildings
- opportunities for new community energy schemes
- challenges around public transport and active travel
- the need for a new community growing space
- ideas for reducing waste.
There was also significant concern about the proposal for new pylons across the Towy valley, intended to link the energy network near Carmarthen with a new windfarm in Powys. Residents told us they support renewable energy but want it done in harmony with the natural landscape.
Following the success of the first event, place co-ordinator Peter Willis is returning to share the feedback gathered so far, and keep the conversation going on the energy issues that matter most to the people of Llandovery.
Llandovery priorities
The Llandovery next steps event, held in December, brought residents together to reflect on what was shared at the earlier Llandovery Forever event and to shape priorities for the future.
Working in small groups, attendees enthusiastically took part in a series of activities and discussions. These conversations helped the community agree on the issues that matter most and identify the ideas with the greatest potential to make a difference.
Priority ideas to explore further:
Energy
- Explore opportunities for local community-owned energy projects, such as solar, hydro, battery storage, delivering long-term benefits for the community.
- Address barriers to home energy efficiency retrofit by raising awareness of grants and finance options, advocating for more flexible planning rules for sympathetic improvements to heritage homes, and encouraging peer learning from residents who have completed successful retrofits.
- Investigate group purchasing of locally generated electricity, including models such as Energy Local.
- Identify additional ways to improve the energy efficiency of community buildings.
Food and Growing
- Establish a community growing space, allotments or garden-share scheme, and revive the community orchard.
- Build on existing community food initiatives by promoting local food boxes and expanding opportunities for communal cooking.
Enhancing Community Amenities
- Explore options to support long-term safeguarding and increased use of Llandovery theatre.
We will meet again in the New Year to continue these conversations and begin developing a shared action plan to turn these ideas into reality.
For more information contact Peter Willis: peterw@severnwye.org.uk
