THERE is outrage over the demolition of one of the Amman Valley’s most historic buildings.

The Old Pontaman Water Mill, believed to date back more than 200 years, has been razed to the ground.

Its demise is a major blow for the Amman Valley Railway Society, which had hoped to regenerate the site as part of its objective to develop the Amman Valley railway for passenger services.

“My reaction is one of shock, horror and consternation,” chief executive Mike Smith told the Guardian.

“The old mill could have been made into a focal point for the community – especially with a rail/bus stop opposite.”

Community leader Kevin Madge also felt the historic building should have been preserved.

“What’s happened is outrageous – the old mill is something that has been there for generations,” he said.

“We don’t have many historic buildings in the valley, so we should protect the ones we have left because they are part of our heritage.”

Guardian reader John Lewis also expressed dismay.

“Ammanford doesn’t have a very good track record for looking after its historic buildings, does it?” he said Local historian Terry Norman, who has also argued for the mill’s restoration, said parish records showed the building was in existence in 1829, although it was thought to be much older.

Pontaman Mill remained in operation up to the first half of the 20th century when, following a reduced supply of water and failure to obtain an electricity supply, it ceased to function.

A Carmarthenshire Council spokesman confirmed the mill had been demolished and the surrounding land cleared.

“There is no pending application/permission for any development,” he said. “The matter has been passed on to our enforcement section, who are now considering the options available to address the situation; including instigating prosecution proceedings against the owner.”