Petition to save Kilgetty Community Centre from Co-op land sale
The 2.32 acre site, down the road from the Co-op store on the village's Carmarthen Road, is being advertised as 'a compelling opportunity for developers and investors'.
The sale plans have threatened the future of Kilgetty Community Centre, a car park and public toilets, which all stand on the land.
A petition has now been launched to save the 'lifeline' community centre, which is used by over 300 people every week and is operated by Kilgetty Begelly Community Council under a licence.
Council members have stated they are 'wholeheartedly determined' to retain the facility.
Around 550 people have already signed the petition on change.org.
The centre is home to a variety of groups, including a friendship club.(Image: Google Street View)
The petition points out: 'For 30+ years, the Co-op group have done no maintenance or even responded to requests.
'The Community Hall is not just an asset on paper to the villages of Kilgetty and Begelly, but a lifeline for many that use it.
'The Co-op group have made this decision without consulting the community, they have not involved the human factor in their decision or even considered the effects this will have on the clubs that use the hall.
"To the Co-op group, the hall and land is profit…profit that hasn't cost them a penny in many many years, all that hard work has been carried out by individuals, groups and volunteers over that time.
"Please sign this petition in the hopes that we can attempt to save our hall and as a community, claim our adverse rights to land."
The village's public toilets are also on the land for sale. (Image: Google Street View)
The area's county councillor, Alistair Cameron, has emphasised the need to safeguard the community facilities.
He commented: "There are valued community facilities on this land including the community centre and public conveniences.
"The community centre serves many groups, including a friendship club, a club for elderly residents, facilities for disabled residents and is a place where residents can meet and make friends to counter loneliness.
"In addition, this land is where you would want the electricity, water and drainage to be connected to the new Men's Shed and Arts and Craft Centre.
"All of these community facilities will need to be safeguarded as part of the sale."
The Co-op - which has been trading in Kilgetty for over half a century - is advertising the land sale through independent property consultants Hartnell Taylor Cook.
The agents state in their sale particulars that the site is an 'ideal location for residential or commercial development'.
It is also pointed out that 'licences have been granted on site and can be terminated should the purchaser wish to take vacant possession'.
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