Retail park set for green light

A 106,000 sq ft retail development which could support up to 260 jobs is set to be given the green light when it goes before Carmarthenshire councillors.The Conygar Investment Company submitted an application for the Cross Hands site earlier this year. Its proposals include a 23,000 sq ft discount supermarket and a terrace of five retail units measuring a total of 74,000 sq ft.The scheme would also feature a drive-thru coffee shop, a 5,800 sq ft family pub/restaurant and two smaller units for retail or food and drink use. There would also be 521 parking spaces provided.The proposed development could provide employment for up to 260 people full-time, and more than 100 during the construction phase. The developer has said it hoped these jobs would be sourced locally.Conygar acquired the 9.96 acre site, which has existing consent for a 90,000 sq ft store, in October 2015. It had previously been earmarked for a Sainsbury’s supermarket.Planning permission was granted in 2012 for the previous scheme, which would also have included residential properties and a health centre.The application will go before Carmarthenshire County Council’s planning committee tomorrow (7 June 2016) with a report prepared ahead of the meeting recommending approval.If consent is granted, construction work could start later this year.