We have started work on the sensitive restoration and conversion of the former Buckley’s Brewery Malthouse and Barley Kiln in Llanelli town centre.
Constructed between 1850 and 1855, the Grade II Listed buildings are the last remaining original buildings on the former brewery site and will now be transformed into 21 new homes for rent.
Eighteen 1 bedroom and three 2 bedroom apartments will soon occupy the buildings that provided the malted barley for the brewing process of Buckley’s beer, once the largest brewery in Wales.
Our £3.7million development will also include significant public realm improvements; a comprehensive landscaping scheme on the north bank of the River Lliedi will greatly enhance the setting of the brewery buildings, whilst an attractive riverside walkway will also provide a pedestrian and cycle route that links up with the wider network in the area.
We have been working with Carmarthenshire County Council to secure £2.3million grant funding to transform the building. Grant funding will come from the Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant and Vibrant and Viable Places fund, as well as from CADW.
Jonathan Hughes, Director of Development (West) explained more about our plans for the development:
“As an important legacy of Llanelli’s industrial heritage, the Malthouse and especially the Barley Kiln, are architectural icons and we are proud to be working in partnership with Carmarthenshire Council to secure their future, giving them a new lease of life so that the people of Llanelli can enjoy them for generations to come.”
Our conversion will be extremely sensitive and sympathetic, in line with the buildings original and traditional form of construction; we’re exposing as much of the original structure as possible, for example, existing cast iron columns and beams will become features within the new apartments. While externally, blocked up windows will be re-opened and render will be removed to reveal original stonework.”
Carmarthenshire-based building contractors, TRJ, started preliminary works on the high quality residential accommodation this month.
Cllr Linda Evans, Carmarthenshire Council’s executive board member for housing, added:
“As a council we are working innovatively to increase the number of affordable homes in Carmarthenshire and this scheme fits so well with what we’re aiming to achieve.”
The redevelopment of the site also fits in with the council’s wider regeneration plans for Llanelli Town Centre. Speaking about this, council leader and member for regeneration, Cllr Emlyn Dole, said:
“This iconic building stands tall and proud in the heart of Llanelli….It’s fantastic to see new life being breathed back into the building which is within view of many of Llanelli’s other significant buildings such as Y Ffwrnes, Llanelly House and Llanelli Library.”
