CIVIC leaders have been accused of dragging their feet over plans to save a part of Carmarthen's heritage.

It is more than a month since talks were held over the future of Carmarthen's dilapidated infirmary in Priory Street.

Mayor Ken Lloyd, town clerk Selwyn Thomas and Carmarthenshire Council chief executive Mark James met on Thursday, January 21, to discuss several issues including the infirmary, which has been in disrepair for many years.

Mayor Lloyd told the January town council meeting that he was not prepared to state what had been discussed about the infirmary ahead of a joint statement being issued by the county council.

Five weeks later the town is still in the dark about the building's future with no statement issued — despite repeated calls to the local authority by the Journal for the information to be made public.

The Journal called for action over the building almost a year ago on the front page of its March 18, 2009, edition.

It is understood Mr Lloyd was to ask Mr James at the meeting whether there were any further legal avenues to be explored to force action on the property.

The Journal revealed in October how plans drawn up in April last year to build 23 apartments on the site — which would in turn pay for the restoration of parts of the Grade II listed infirmary — had been left to gather dust, with no action being taken by the building's owner, local builder, Dorian Davies.

Charity Save Britain's Heritage said in 2007 that the that the building was "ripe for restoration".

It warned that unless action was taken, the town could see part of its heritage fall to rack and ruin.

Charity spokeswoman Catherine Townsend said last night: "The infirmary is still on our 'at risk' list and we are eager to see it improved. We have asked the county council for updates regularly but have not had anything lately."

The town council said on Monday that it was eager to see the building improved and understood the infirmary was being reassessed by the planning department.

As the Journal was going to press, Carmarthenshire Council assistant chief executive Chris Burns said: "Ourselves and the town council are very concerned about the property and we as a county council are in contact with the owners' agents and are considering taking enforcement action to force the owners to take the necessary works."

The joint statement has still to be released.