**Llanelli Office Block Poised for Green Transformation as Affordable Housing Scheme Unveiled**
A prominent office block in the heart of Llanelli may soon be set for a dramatic transformation, as developers unveil plans to rejuvenate the ageing site with a modern, biophilic design offering affordable living opportunities. The proposals, spearheaded by Hacer Developments, could see the 1970s Crown Buildings on Church Street reinvented as a sustainable apartment complex, with lush rooftop gardens and extensive greenery integrated into the design.
The vision put forward by Hacer Developments includes the conversion of the existing five-storey structure into 30 modern flats. The project aims not only to provide affordable housing but also to bring fresh life to a site that locals have long considered outdated and underutilised. The scheme also involves demolishing an adjacent three-storey building and overhauling the area’s outdoor spaces.
At the heart of the plans is the concept of a ‘living building’. This innovative approach seeks to blend architecture with nature, introducing an abundance of plant life directly into the living environment. According to planning documents, the proposed apartment block would feature a rooftop garden with trees, shrubs, and dedicated green patches. There could even be a communal growing area for residents, and a landscaped internal courtyard to enhance wellbeing and promote biodiversity.
Prospective residents would benefit from mainly one- and two-bedroom homes, all within a thoroughly modernised structure designed to fit seamlessly within the town’s historic fabric. The development is set to include 34 parking spaces and 10 indoor cycle racks, promoting a sustainable mix of transport options for new tenants.
At present, the project is at the pre-application stage, with Geraint John Planning conducting a public consultation on behalf of the developer. Feedback is invited from the Llanelli community until 4 June, before formal plans are submitted to Carmarthenshire Council for consideration. Interested local residents are encouraged to voice their thoughts and aspirations for the site’s future.
Documents supporting the proposal outline several factors influencing the design. The team has carefully considered the building’s proximity to the Llanelli Conservation Area and the existing challenges in the locality, including concerns around anti-social behaviour. The design and access statement contends that a major redevelopment is necessary for the site to overcome such issues, describing the current configuration as unsuitable for large-scale employment use given the area’s changing needs.
Crown Buildings, which formerly housed a Department for Work and Pensions office, has seen its share of interest from potential occupiers in recent years. Tinopolis, a well-known television production company, previously explored a move to the location but ultimately decided to pursue other options, highlighting the difficulties in repurposing the structure for commercial ventures.
Pre-application materials submitted by the developers include assessments of transport links, local ecology, and flood risks to ensure the project is both feasible and sensitive to its surroundings. More specific landscaping details are expected to be shared as the scheme evolves, allowing the public and planning officials greater insight into how the green ambitions will be realised in practice.
Hacer Developments brings valuable experience to the Llanelli scheme, as it nears completion of a flagship biophilic project in Swansea city centre. That undertaking includes a striking 12-storey tower with 50 flats, rooftop gardens, solar panels, and educational spaces, and has been widely watched as a model for urban transformation in south Wales.
If approved, the revitalisation of Crown Buildings could mark a significant milestone in the regeneration of Llanelli’s town centre, demonstrating how sustainable development and affordable housing can work hand-in-hand to reshape urban landscapes. The coming months will reveal how the community responds to this forward-looking proposal and whether the vision for a living building in Llanelli can soon become a reality.