Objectors delay £50m development

Work on the former mart site was due to start this summer

The £50m redevelopment of Carmarthen's town centre has been delayed once again - this time by around 30 objections to the closure of an access lane.

The scheme, which includes a cinema, department store and 24 shops, bars and restaurants, was due to start shortly.

But people have objected to the closure of Fair Lane, forcing a public inquiry.

Developers described the latest hold-up as a "great pity" while objectors list traffic issues and congestion as matters of concern.

Plans to redevelop the former mart site in the centre of town date back more than five years.

Initially objectors focused on plans to demolish the indoor market but developers agreed a new one would be included in the scheme.

Plans to close St Catherine's Street - a main road through the town - provoked further protest forcing Carmarthenshire Council and the developers Simons to redesign the scheme to keep it open.

New delay

The council's head of regeneration Dave Gilbert said he was "not surprised" by the latest delay.

He said: "Some objections have even come from people who are from the outside the town of Carmarthen - it is difficult to see how the closure of this lane adversely affects them.

"The lane is not a thoroughfare and all the business along Fair Lane that currently use it for access will be re-locating."

Giles Walter of Simons said work had been due to start within weeks but would now be delayed until at least the autumn.

"As there were a number of objections to the closure, a local inquiry will be held - this is standard practice in any application for road closures where there are objections," he said.