

Pentre Awel
A multi-million-pound project bringing together business, research, education, community healthcare and modern leisure facilities all at one prime location along the Llanelli coastline
Pentre Awel is the first development of its scope and size in Wales providing world-class medical research and health care delivery and supporting and encouraging people to lead active and healthy lives.
As well as improving health and wellbeing, the project will create over 1,800 jobs and training/apprenticeship opportunities, and is expected to boost the local economy by a £467million over the next 15 years.
Set within an 83-acre site at Delta Lakes, the council-led project will be developed in phases across four zones. It includes:
Zone 1 - estimated full completion date summer 2024:
Leisure centre
Pentre Awel will provide a state-of-the-art new leisure centre which will incorporate:
- 25-metre eight-lane swimming pool and learner pool offering traditional lane swimming and learn to swim classes, as well as fun activities with water-based slides, inflatables and wet assault courses for people of all ages and abilities
- Eight-court sports hall provide top-class facilities for a range of indoor sports, including netball competition standard courts
- Cutting-edge gym
- Dance, spin and multi-purpose studios
- Hydrotherapy pool funded by charitable donations and available for use by NHS patients
Education, research and business development
The research and development will help to push the boundaries of understanding of what it means to live well. Pentre Awel will be home to big science and small start-ups, established businesses and new kids on the block. All working in partnership with universities and colleges and the health board to make life better.
A clinical delivery and research centre will enable Hywel Dda University Health Board to expand its research and medical engineering provision by focusing on community level clinical trials, linked to facilities on site; and provide multi-disciplinary care closer to home for a wide range of community-focused services.
An education and training centre will focus on health and care training, with courses ranging from entry level through to postgraduate, placing students in a clinical setting and focusing on areas where there is a skill shortage.
Zone 2
Social and affordable housing development
An exciting development of 35 social and affordable homes will be developed within zone 2 of the project. This housing will be located in the north-east of Pentre Awel.
Assisted living accommodation
Assisted living facilities will contain a variety of housing options for residents of all ages who require additional support. The aim of this accommodation is to support independence, enhanced through the use of the latest supported living technologies by specialist research and development companies based on site.
Integrated care and physical rehabilitation facilities will enable the testing and piloting of life science technologies aimed at enhancing independent and assisted living.
Zone 3
Assisted living village
Approximately 144 assisted living apartments and houses for sale and rent will be created to promote independent living among residents.
Business expansion space
Up to 10,000m² expansion business space will be provided for spin-out activities.
Zone 4
Hotel
A hotel set against a stunning coastal landscape will provide up to 140-bed accommodation as well as a range of facilities to promote wellness among visitors. A Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) was undertaken earlier this year, with a view to submitting an outline planning application.
Housing development
A 35-unit open market housing development will be situated south of the development with stunning coastal views.
All set within the natural landscape, around a freshwater lake and within walking distance of the Millennium Coastal Park, Pentre Awel will feature landscaped outdoor public spaces for recreation, with walking and cycling paths and stunning coastal views.
Planning
Outline planning for the site was secured in August 2019 (Planning Reference Number: S/36948). A range of environmental surveys and assessments were carried out in support of the planning application and are accessible via the planning portal. Planning for reserved matters including access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for Zone One was approved in June 2022.
Design, architecture and sustainability
Detailed design work has been undertaken on Zone 1, which will bring together education, business, research, leisure and health in a single building. These facilities will be linked together in a ‘street’ layout, connected by a central atrium comprising a reception, café and other public amenities. The street will be the community heart of the village with lots of exhibition space and breakout areas enjoying spectacular views across the lake, and west to the Loughor Estuary and Carmarthen Bay.
The designs showcase the council’s ambition to create a development that is landscape-led, connected to local communities and amenities and is sustainable. The Zone 1 facilities will maximise the use of daylight and natural ventilation where possible, and bring the ‘outside inside’ to promote good physical and mental wellbeing. In addition, green/brown roofs and photovoltaic panels form an important part of a site wide energy strategy and reflect the council’s aspirations in relation to net-zero carbon.
Partnership approach
Pentre Awel is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Universities and Colleges including Cardiff University, Coleg Sir Gar, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Swansea University.
It is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal (£40million).

Pentre Awel is the first development of its scope and size in Wales providing world-class medical research and health care delivery and supporting and encouraging people to lead active and healthy lives.
As well as improving health and wellbeing, the project will create over 1,800 jobs and training/apprenticeship opportunities, and is expected to boost the local economy by a £467million over the next 15 years.
Set within an 83-acre site at Delta Lakes, the council-led project will be developed in phases across four zones. It includes:
Zone 1 - estimated full completion date summer 2024:
Leisure centre
Pentre Awel will provide a state-of-the-art new leisure centre which will incorporate:
- 25-metre eight-lane swimming pool and learner pool offering traditional lane swimming and learn to swim classes, as well as fun activities with water-based slides, inflatables and wet assault courses for people of all ages and abilities
- Eight-court sports hall provide top-class facilities for a range of indoor sports, including netball competition standard courts
- Cutting-edge gym
- Dance, spin and multi-purpose studios
- Hydrotherapy pool funded by charitable donations and available for use by NHS patients
Education, research and business development
The research and development will help to push the boundaries of understanding of what it means to live well. Pentre Awel will be home to big science and small start-ups, established businesses and new kids on the block. All working in partnership with universities and colleges and the health board to make life better.
A clinical delivery and research centre will enable Hywel Dda University Health Board to expand its research and medical engineering provision by focusing on community level clinical trials, linked to facilities on site; and provide multi-disciplinary care closer to home for a wide range of community-focused services.
An education and training centre will focus on health and care training, with courses ranging from entry level through to postgraduate, placing students in a clinical setting and focusing on areas where there is a skill shortage.
Zone 2
Social and affordable housing development
An exciting development of 35 social and affordable homes will be developed within zone 2 of the project. This housing will be located in the north-east of Pentre Awel.
Assisted living accommodation
Assisted living facilities will contain a variety of housing options for residents of all ages who require additional support. The aim of this accommodation is to support independence, enhanced through the use of the latest supported living technologies by specialist research and development companies based on site.
Integrated care and physical rehabilitation facilities will enable the testing and piloting of life science technologies aimed at enhancing independent and assisted living.
Zone 3
Assisted living village
Approximately 144 assisted living apartments and houses for sale and rent will be created to promote independent living among residents.
Business expansion space
Up to 10,000m² expansion business space will be provided for spin-out activities.
Zone 4
Hotel
A hotel set against a stunning coastal landscape will provide up to 140-bed accommodation as well as a range of facilities to promote wellness among visitors. A Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) was undertaken earlier this year, with a view to submitting an outline planning application.
Housing development
A 35-unit open market housing development will be situated south of the development with stunning coastal views.
All set within the natural landscape, around a freshwater lake and within walking distance of the Millennium Coastal Park, Pentre Awel will feature landscaped outdoor public spaces for recreation, with walking and cycling paths and stunning coastal views.
Planning
Outline planning for the site was secured in August 2019 (Planning Reference Number: S/36948). A range of environmental surveys and assessments were carried out in support of the planning application and are accessible via the planning portal. Planning for reserved matters including access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for Zone One was approved in June 2022.
Design, architecture and sustainability
Detailed design work has been undertaken on Zone 1, which will bring together education, business, research, leisure and health in a single building. These facilities will be linked together in a ‘street’ layout, connected by a central atrium comprising a reception, café and other public amenities. The street will be the community heart of the village with lots of exhibition space and breakout areas enjoying spectacular views across the lake, and west to the Loughor Estuary and Carmarthen Bay.
The designs showcase the council’s ambition to create a development that is landscape-led, connected to local communities and amenities and is sustainable. The Zone 1 facilities will maximise the use of daylight and natural ventilation where possible, and bring the ‘outside inside’ to promote good physical and mental wellbeing. In addition, green/brown roofs and photovoltaic panels form an important part of a site wide energy strategy and reflect the council’s aspirations in relation to net-zero carbon.
Partnership approach
Pentre Awel is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Universities and Colleges including Cardiff University, Coleg Sir Gar, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Swansea University.
It is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal (£40million).
Contractor appointed for Zone One
We’ve appointed Bouygues UK to design and build Zone One following an extensive tendering process via the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework.
The contract has a key focus on social value to ensure that local people and businesses will reap the benefits of the ambitious scheme. It will mean employment and training opportunities for local people, including jobs for people just starting their careers, apprenticeships, work placements and wider employability support. There will also be a targeted focus on supporting those who are long-term unemployed or economically inactive, and tailored initiatives in local communities and schools to inspire people towards relevant careers.
Bouygues UK is a global leader with an extensive portfolio of multi-million-pound schemes where innovation has been applied to a range of state-of-the-art healthcare, education, commercial and residential developments, including the recently completed £120million Cardiff Innovation Campus.
Further design will be undertaken together with preparation and submission of detailed planning information and preparatory works on site.
Site works underway
Site clearance and ground investigation works have started on the Delta Lakes site to help progress detailed design and to allow main building works to start on Zone One later this year.
Mature trees and shrubbery will be removed, and any invasive plants will be sprayed with a suitable herbicide treatment.
All clearance works will be undertaken under the watching brief of an ecologist due to the imminent bird nesting season.
Site investigation works will be undertaken primarily to the south of the lake and will consist of boreholes and trial pits.
Once complete, reptile containment fencing will be erected, and any reptiles relocated.
Further bat, otter and water vole surveys will be undertaken adjacent to the dock wall for the second stage of vegetation to be cleared pending survey results.
These works will ensure the site is cleared of any reptiles and vegetation within the building footprint ready for main contract works to commence.
For further information contact:
Nina Williams, Social Value Advisor
Email: nina.williams@bouygues-uk.com
Text/Phone: 07503468780

Contractor appointed for Zone One
We’ve appointed Bouygues UK to design and build Zone One following an extensive tendering process via the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework.
The contract has a key focus on social value to ensure that local people and businesses will reap the benefits of the ambitious scheme. It will mean employment and training opportunities for local people, including jobs for people just starting their careers, apprenticeships, work placements and wider employability support. There will also be a targeted focus on supporting those who are long-term unemployed or economically inactive, and tailored initiatives in local communities and schools to inspire people towards relevant careers.
Bouygues UK is a global leader with an extensive portfolio of multi-million-pound schemes where innovation has been applied to a range of state-of-the-art healthcare, education, commercial and residential developments, including the recently completed £120million Cardiff Innovation Campus.
Further design will be undertaken together with preparation and submission of detailed planning information and preparatory works on site.
Site works underway
Site clearance and ground investigation works have started on the Delta Lakes site to help progress detailed design and to allow main building works to start on Zone One later this year.
Mature trees and shrubbery will be removed, and any invasive plants will be sprayed with a suitable herbicide treatment.
All clearance works will be undertaken under the watching brief of an ecologist due to the imminent bird nesting season.
Site investigation works will be undertaken primarily to the south of the lake and will consist of boreholes and trial pits.
Once complete, reptile containment fencing will be erected, and any reptiles relocated.
Further bat, otter and water vole surveys will be undertaken adjacent to the dock wall for the second stage of vegetation to be cleared pending survey results.
These works will ensure the site is cleared of any reptiles and vegetation within the building footprint ready for main contract works to commence.
For further information contact:
Nina Williams, Social Value Advisor
Email: nina.williams@bouygues-uk.com
Text/Phone: 07503468780