Local development plans: Carmarthenshire

The overall plan

• The plan provides for 9,704 new homes to meet a housing requirement of 8,822. Policy SP1, page 78
• The plan names three principal centres, Llanelli, Ammanford/Cross Hands and Carmarthen, which will receive an appropriate share of growth, spread in a balanced way. Page 58
• The plan sets out a settlement hierarchy within a framework of six clusters, so growth is distributed according to the role each town and village plays. Page 58
• The plan supports proposals that help make rural communities across the county more sustainable, in line with its settlement hierarchy. Policy SP 13, page 198

Homes

• Most new homes will be built in the larger towns and centres at the top of the settlement hierarchy, which ranks places by size and services. Small rural villages will see only small-scale housing. Page 99
• On larger housing sites of 101 homes or more, 25% of the homes must be affordable homes. Smaller sites have lower affordable percentages. Policy AHOM1, page 128
• The plan allocates sites for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, including land at Penyfan, Trostre, and Penybryn (extension), Bynea, both in Llanelli. The sites are allocated for residential use. Page 157

Jobs and the economy

• The plan sets aside 71.21 hectares of land for new employment over the plan period, in line with its settlement framework. Page 134
• The plan allows new business development outside settlement development limits only where it is directly related to a settlement or hamlet, or backed by a business case showing that its location is justified. Policy EME4, page 141
• The plan says tourism is a major source of jobs and income, bringing around £400 million to £500 million a year to the county's economy. Policy SP11, page 161

Town centres and shops

• Outside the town centres, the plan says new non-food retail warehouse units, such as garden centres and car showrooms, may be permitted on designated retail parks or on employment sites, but only where supporting evidence is provided. Page 85
• For new convenience stores outside the town centre boundary, the plan requires an impact assessment showing that the proposal would not have an adverse effect on the vitality and viability of the existing retail centre. Page 85
• Small local convenience shops in rural and urban areas may be permitted within development limits, where they are of a scale appropriate to that settlement. Page 86

Countryside, nature and heritage

• The plan protects the county's natural beauty and wildlife, saying biodiversity is fundamental to the well-being of everyone who lives and works in Carmarthenshire. Page 32

Climate, energy and flooding

• The plan allows solar farms of 5 megawatts or larger in the Local Search Areas it identifies, as long as they do not have an unacceptable impact on visual amenity or landscape character. Policy CCH1, page 226
• Larger developments of 100 or more homes, or with 1000 square metres of floorspace or more, must submit an Energy Assessment to see whether a renewable or low carbon energy scheme is feasible. Policy CCH6, page 241
• The plan says development in areas at risk of flooding will not be allowed unless it meets national flood policy, Technical Advice Note 15. Page 224

Transport

• The plan says the County is served by several A-roads and numerous B-classified roads, with the A48 trunk road leading to and from the M4 motorway. Page 33
• The plan says the area is generally well served by public transport through the bus network, though the level and frequency of service varies by location and destination. Page 33

The Welsh language

• The plan says development that would harm the vitality and viability of the Welsh language and culture will not be permitted unless that harm can be mitigated, meaning reduced or made good. Page 143

Where it stands

Being examined Reached in June 2024.

An independent inspector is examining the plan and may hold public hearings. The inspector can require changes.

What happens next

Adopting the new plan

The stages of a new plan

1. 1. Reviewing the current plan
2. 2. Setting a timetable
3. 3. Sites put forward
4. 4. Preferred strategy
5. 5. Draft plan published
6. 6. Sent for examination
7. 7. Being examined
8. 8. Adopted