WORK is due to begin on the Cross Hands West this week with the promise of hundreds of jobs and new housing and health facilities.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s flagship multi-million-pound development includes planning consent for a new Sainsbury’s store; a 250-home residential scheme; new bus bays and access for Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth; a petrol station; highways work; a health centre; and refurbishment of Cross Hands Workingmen’s Club.

The land is being developed through a Joint Venture partnership between the local authority and property developers George LB.

Work on the 56-acre site includes the reconfiguration of the junction into the site off Llandeilo Road, which will also involve the partial demolition and refurbishment of Cross Hands Workingman’s Club .

A new spine road will be constructed through the site with access onto Carmarthen Road and Heol Y Parc at Cefneithin.

Negotiations are ongoing with a national housebuilder for the 16 acres of residential development.

The Cross Hands West site is situated on brown-field land next to the A48, between the former Kwiksave store and Heol-y-Parc Road.

The planning permission includes a 55,000 sq ft food store and includes a 620-space car park, a cafe and a petrol station, This part of the site has recently been sold to Sainsbury’s, which is expected to create up to 350 jobs.

Carmarthenshire’s Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “I am delighted to see work start on this site which will bring so many benefits to Carmarthenshire.

“Hundreds of jobs will be created, along with hundreds more during the construction phase, jobs which are badly needed in this area.

“Cross Hands West is an important site and our officers have worked hard to bring this development forward.

“I would like to pay tribute to their work and look forward to seeing this key scheme progress along with the store, health centre, housing, new school and the club.

“It is a very exciting development, located in a very accessible place for people across the county, and it will bring tremendous benefits to Carmarthenshire.”