A £10 MILLION facility at Dyfed-Powys Police's Carmarthen headquarters is expected to be approved by planners today despite fears it could be a white elephant.

The new base is designed to deal with major incidents and large-scale emergencies.

But there are concerns it may be underused.

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas has backed calls for assurances that the facility will not be a waste of public money. He wants assurances that the unit will be viable all year round — and not only in the event of emergencies.

Mr Thomas has written to the force seeking assurances.

However, he has welcomed the scheme, which is funded by the Assembly's Strategic Capital Investment Fund.

Mr Thomas said: "This is a lot of public money.

"I hope it will provide value by proving to be a useful service that will aid the people of Carmarthenshire on a year-round basis.

"I think this development should be welcomed.

"The recession has had a negative impact on local jobs, and so this investment will hopefully bring in work and help tackle short-term unemployment."

The application would see a two and three-storey strategic co-ordination centre, with a 30-space secure car park, and external plant compound, next to the existing communications building created at the Llangunnor police headquarters. The scheme also includes the construction of an access road to the new building.

The building is one of only three strategic co-ordination centres (SCCs) across Wales, and would be the only purpose-built facility.

The role of a SSC is to deal with civil emergencies or major incidents.

The building will also incorporate a new office suite to accommodate the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), which will be in permanent, full-time use.

No objection was received from Llangunnor Community Council about the application, other than concerns the development would increase the number of vehicles parking at the site.