Hundreds of jobs in river complex

An artist's impression of the £25m scheme

A £25m scheme to develop the riverside in Carmarthen has been submitted to the local council.

Developers say the new complex - called Merlin's Gate - would create around 500 jobs and give a massive boost to the west Wales town.

But some have said they are concerned that the scheme could endanger the ecological environment of the river Towy.

Plans for the proposed scheme include a new railway station, a Tesco superstore, offices, shops and a hotel - all linked to the existing town centre by a new bridge over the river.

The area suffered in the recent flooding

The plan still has to go out to consultation and the Environment Agency has already expressed concerns over siting the complex next to one of Wales's largest rivers.

"The agency generally discourages development on a flood plain," said the agency's Dr Peter Jones.

But the developers have insisted the project would strengthen flood defences as well as create up to five hundred jobs.

Carmarthenshire Council's planning committee is expected to study the plans in detail next month.