Carmarthenshire’s historic buildings: skills training for sustainability
We are delighted to announce the launch of another major initiative made possible through generous funding from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund and Carmarthenshire County Council.
Carmarthenshire’s Historic Buildings project aims to address the Net Zero Wales goals by providing training and skills enhancement to ensure the preservation and sustainable retrofitting of traditional buildings in six towns across Carmarthenshire: Kidwelly, Llandeilo, Newcastle Emlyn, Laugharne, Llandovery, and Llanybydder.
The project includes non-accredited courses and an Open Day, promoting the importance of appropriate historic building care, energy efficiency improvements, traditional and sustainable materials and methods, and more.
It enhances existing efforts and initiatives in the region, building upon the Carmarthenshire 10 Towns Initiative and coordinating with other regeneration activities. This project responds to a specific need for training in traditional building techniques, which is in high demand, especially among building custodians and contractors in the region. It complements existing support structures and fills a crucial gap in preserving and retrofitting traditional buildings. Without the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund grant, such a project would not proceed, and it significantly adds value to ongoing initiatives.
The need for this project is evident due to the demand for skilled craftspeople in maintaining and repairing listed buildings. The traditional buildings are crucial for the historic towns' economic regeneration and for achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050. Assessments of the towns have identified building defects that affect their long-term sustainability. Educating building custodians and contractors is essential to address these issues and preserve the region's architectural heritage and sustainability goals.
Primary beneficiaries
The project will primarily benefit the custodians of historic buildings in the six towns mentioned and local building contractors interested in upskilling. Our aim is to equip 100 people with the skills required to maintain and enhance our historic buildings. The broader community in South West Wales will also benefit from the Traditional and Sustainable Buildings Fair on May 11th 2024, educational courses, and improved understanding of the importance of historic building preservation. In the long term, restored traditional buildings will contribute to the regeneration of Carmarthenshire’s towns.
Sustainability
We, at the Tywi Centre, will be responsible for the future maintenance of the project's outcomes. As part of Carmarthenshire County Council's Planning Service, we will continue providing support through non-funded courses, online resources, and our expertise. This ensures the long-term sustainability of the project's impact and benefits.
Local investment
The project aligns with Carmarthenshire's Local Investment Plan, the Regional Employment and Skills Plan, and the Well-being of Future Generations Act. It supports Net Zero Wales, the upskilling of the construction industry, and town centre regeneration. It also contributes to green (Net Zero) skills, historic building preservation, and economic, social, cultural, and environmental values.
Outputs and outcomes
The project will promote sustainable and low carbon approaches by emphasising the economic, social, environmental, and cultural value of existing buildings, encouraging energy-saving practices, and prioritising reuse and repair over replacement.
We will integrate digital accessibility by offering training through various digital mediums and ensuring all materials conform to accessibility standards. Bilingual materials will be published simultaneously, and Welsh speakers will be encouraged to get involved.
Stay tuned for more updates on this project!
For more information and updates, contact us by clicking here.