Work on a council-run care home in Carmarthenshire that has faced delays is due to begin this autumn. The Plas Y Bryn project, costing £19.3 million including the £720,000 site purchase, will provide residential and nursing care for 60 older people, including those with physical disabilities, sensory impairments and neurological conditions such as dementia.
The new home will replace the 34-bed Plas Y Bryn residential care home in Cwmgwili, which closed in 2022. Most of the bedrooms will face east and west to make the most of the views and natural light, and the scheme will include new greenery and two courtyards.
Why a new build was chosen
The council bought the site for £720,000 and decided that demolition and a new build was the best option because the existing home could not support the weight of a third storey. Carmarthenshire has an ageing population and demand for care is rising.
The Welsh Government is contributing 70% of the project cost, with the council funding the remaining 30%. The building is being designed by Lawray Architects, and around 30 members of staff will work at the same time, according to planning documents.
Delays and expected opening
The 60-bed project has been delayed and is now anticipated to open by early 2029. Minutes from a council meeting in January said it would be ready in early 2028.
Cllr Jane Tremlett, cabinet member for adult social services, children and families, said: “The redevelopment of Plas Y Bryn is a significant milestone in our commitment to providing modern, high-quality care facilities for the people of Carmarthenshire.
“This investment will not only improve the quality of life for residents but also support the integration of health and social care services in the community.”
Long-term savings expected
In the long run, it is hoped the new home will save the council money because it will have more beds to care for older people rather than having to commission more expensive ones in private settings.
Deputy Minister for Social Care, Delyth Jewell, said the scheme was an example of how to ensure care services were fit for the future. “I look forward to seeing this important project progress,” she said.
