Final steps towards town's superstore as plans approved
THE final steps have been taken to bring a new Tesco supermarket to Burry Port.
Approval for the store, on a piece of land alongside the railway line and next to the Neptune Buildings, was granted in principle in 2010.
Supermarket giant Tesco has now applied for planning permission on the details of the store, including the layout, appearance and landscaping.
The council's planning committee was told yesterday that there will be a 134-space car park and that the service yard had been moved after consultation with local householders.
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Both county councillors for Burry Port spoke in favour of the application and urged the committee to accept the plans.
Councillor Pat Jones said the store would bring 120 jobs with it, adding: "How many communities in Carmarthenshire can get that? It is really, really good for the town.
"This development ticks all the boxes whereby the only rational conclusion is to approve the application."
Councillor John James said he understood some traders were frightened for their livelihoods but said the supermarket would bring extra shoppers back from Llanelli.
"The proposed Tesco development is paramount to the future of Burry Port," he said. "Some see it as being the end of the high street but we see it as being an ideal opportunity.
"Ninety-six per cent of people in the area are shopping outside, so if we can bring these people into the town it will be a real boost for the local community."
He said many high street shops had closed in the last 30 years but this trend could be reversed if people stay and shop in town.
The proposed site is a grassed piece of land opposite the harbour. The Environment Agency had asked for more information about a possible flooding but the planning officers said this was not required as the broad idea for a store had already been approved.
The new supermarket will have a total area of 2,300sq metres and a sales area of 1,400sq metres.
Two residents had written in to object to the plans, saying there was no need for a supermarket in Burry Port.
The committee voted however and approval was granted for the reserved matters relating to the new store.
graeme.wilkinson@swwmedia.co.uk
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