COMMUNITY benefit funds arising from the controversial Mynydd y Betws windfarm could “reinvigorate” Ammanford market, town councillors have been told.

County councillor Colin Evans said ten wards were eligible for a slice of a £2.8m pot being made available “for the best part of 25 years”.

Suggesting money could be used to relaunch the town’s street market and draw more people back into town, Cllr Evans said: “This could be the making of the town.”

But he warned the council could be left “on the starting blocks” if it did not draw up plans quickly. “This scheme is being launched ostensibly at the end of this month on a ‘first come, first served’ basis,” he added. “We need to tap into this fund as soon as possible and decide on our prioritities because there are other community councils out there with plans already drawn up.”

Fellow county councillor Deian Harries commented: “If we don’t react to this instantly we will be laughing stocks.”

Cllr Jonathan Davies said: “We need to thrash things out, decide our priorities – and then just go for it.”

The council will hold a special meeting on Thursday, February 28.