History display planned for town

REPLICA cottages from days gone by, open-air theatre space and a museum featuring a Sherman tank and steam engines could be coming to Kidwelly.

The town council has applied for planning permission for the History Shed Experience, which is having to move from its base in Laugharne, to create a new landscaped visitor attraction on land beyond Glan-Yr-Afon car park, off Bridge Street.

Other museum exhibits would include an armoured car, Harley-Davidson motorbike, a replica First World War trench, 20 to 30 mannequins in period costume, and stories of emigration to America.

A pole-barn area would feature live events and potentially a weekly market.

The single-storey replica cottages would have different themes, including one depicting life for Welsh settlers in America in the 1890s.

Toilets would also be provided.

Town council estates manager Mark Stephens said the History Shed Experience team got in touch because of its close connections with the town.

“We looked at different proposals and we narrowed it down to this site,” said Mr Stephens.

“It’s on the outskirts of the town, the car park is next to it, and it’s a stone’s throw from the castle.”

Mr Stephens said the land, which is used by walkers, was a rubbish dump many years ago.

Two public meetings were held, in 2019 and 2020. A planning document submitted as part of the application to Carmarthenshire council said the 3,000sq m proposal was well received overall.

It added there were a few environmental and visual impact concerns. In response the design team decreased the museum building’s profile and moved it to the rear of the site where it would be screened from direct view.