Minister rejects legal action in Llanelli row
Welsh environment minister Carwyn Jones today dismissed a threat of legal action in a planning dispute threatening Llanelli Scarlets.
The Welsh club have warned they could go under if they do not sell their famous Stradey Park stadium to make way for 450 homes and move to a new ground.
The plan, approved by the local council, has been called in by the Assembly Government because Stradey Park is on a flood plain.
In a television programme tonight, Scarlets director Ron Jones warns the club could “go to the wall” if a decision is not made by the Government soon.
Mr Jones tells BBC Wales’ Taro Naw: “We may get help from the WRU (Welsh Rugby Union), but it is also possible that legal action could be considered, as we believe that the Assembly behaved in a way which is inappropriate and possibly illegal.”
The minister, who is responsible for planning, told the Cabinet’s weekly press briefing: “I would be interested to know what grounds that would be on.
“The way Llanelli Scarlets are run is entirely up to them.”
He said the matter was in the hands of his planning inspectorate and it would be “wrong and illegal” for him to interfere.
The fate of Stradey, site of some of rugby’s most famous encounters, has split opinion in the local community.
The Scarlets insist their plans are viable and essential to keep the outfit alive.
