Carmarthenshire councillors have announced they have backed detailed plans for the new Scarlets stadium at Pemberton.

The meeting of the planning committee approved the reserved matters application by Llanelli Scarlets. Outline planning permission was given for the Pemberton development in December 2005.

The application by Llanelli Scarlets was for a 15,000 capacity stadium with club changing facilities, retail space, hospitality suites, public bar, exhibition area, club offices, and commercial space for future development.

It also includes a sports barn and associated changing rooms, a training pitch, athletics facility and associated external works, car parking and access.

-- Advertisement --

The plans, for reserved matters, were for land to the north east and south east of Trostre Roundabout.

The council has provisionally agreed to contribute the land for the stadium and community sporting facilities, and up to £10 million in funding from the commercial element of Pemberton. The commercial development is making progress, and is expected to be open for business by Christmas 2008.

The council's director of regeneration, Dave Gilbert, said: "Now that planning permission has been granted, we can move on and hopefully construct the stadium and so enjoy the benefits in regenerating the area that a first class facility can bring.

"There is a public enquiry next week on the village green issue but gaining this planning consent is an important piece in the jigsaw."

National supermarket chain Morrison’s has built a new store there and other retailers are moving onto the site. The massive scheme also includes a 50-bed Premier Travel Inn hotel and restaurant, a petrol station, two fast food restaurants and bulk retail stores. Major highway improvements are being carried out to improve access to the site and traffic flow in the surrounding area.

(JM)