A mother-of-two living in a council flat in Llanelli has spoken out about feeling scared due to what she describes as anti-social behaviour and drug abuse at the Granby Close estate. Sylwia Torunska, a resident in the flats with her nine-year-old and 10-month-old daughters, expressed concerns about explaining drugs to her eldest child and feeling uneasy about letting her children play outside due to littered drug needles and rubbish in the area.
Ms. Torunska highlighted the need for a larger property, sharing that she has contacted Carmarthenshire Council with photos of drug paraphernalia and rubbish in the vicinity but has not had success in moving up the council house banding criteria. She raised the issue of deteriorating conditions over the past two years and has reached out to authorities including her local MP and the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
The 30-year-old, who is a part-time hotel cleaner and receiving Universal Credit, detailed her struggles in affording a three-bedroom property privately in Llanelli. She moved to the town from Poland in 2006 and expressed concerns about her daughters’ well-being in the current environment. The saga has led to interactions with the council, where a letter addressed to Ms. Torunska discussed the living conditions at Granby Close and outlined plans for improvement, including regular clean-ups and grass cutting.
Members of the community also shared their perspectives anonymously, with one resident describing periods of tranquillity interspersed with police activity and suspected drug-dealing. Another former tenant, thankful for transitioning to a house with a garden, recalled distressing moments at Granby Close marked by disturbances and safety concerns for their children.
Despite efforts to address the situation with the council, Ms. Torunska has faced setbacks in her endeavour for a housing transfer. The council has responded to her concerns with promises of estate maintenance and housing officer visits but has also cited Ms. Torunska’s behaviour as hostile in communications. The ongoing predicament has left Ms. Torunska feeling emotionally strained and eager for a resolution that ensures a safer environment for her family.