A CHILD could be killed unless urgent action is taken on a dangerous derelict building in the Amman Valley, a councillor has warned. 

Garnant County Councillor Kevin Madge has been left horrified once again after hearing of youngsters risking their lives and breaking into the former Workmen's Hall in Garnant. 

Cllr Kevin Madge wants the building to be demolished or for the owners to be prosecuted. Cllr Kevin Madge (pictured) wants the building to be demolished or for the owners to be prosecuted. (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Madge has made fresh calls for Carmarthenshire Council to take action against the owners of the building in order to 'avoid a fatality'. 

He said: "There is such a huge drop near the railway line at the back of the building that anyone would die if they fell. I’ve been calling on parents to tell their children to not go there and for the building to be demolished.

“The owners appear to have no intention of repairing the building. The work needed is well past it’s sell by date. Trying to solve this problem has been like a game of ping pong.

“It just keeps going back and forth between the council and the owners. My patience has run out and the owners need to be legally prosecuted.”

One of the biggest issues with the building, said Cllr Madge, is the roof which has blown off following storms over the past couple of years.

The Workman’s Hall is a privately owned property and Carmarthenshire County Council has said that it is the landowner’s responsibility to prevent the property from becoming hazardous to the public.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The Authority has taken enforcement action against the owner to secure the roof under section 78 of the Building Safety Act 1984 and to secure the building from trespass under the Local Government Act 1982. 

“The Authority continues to monitor the building and is working with Dyfed-Powys Police to secure the rear of the building following the most recent reports of trespass.

“As the Local Authority, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.

“We would like to remind everyone of the dangers associated with entering or approaching empty and abandoned buildings which can pose significant risks to life and safety.

“We urge our communities, for their safety and the safety of others, not to enter these structures.”