Plans to transform the former court house and police station in Ammanford into a mini supermarket, flats and office space have been given the green light by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The council’s planning committee voted unanimously to grant permission for both sites situated on Margaret Street despite concern over the need for another supermarket in the town and traffic congestion.

The court house closed in 2011 as part of the Ministry of Justice reforms.

The plans will see a convenience store style mini supermarket on the ground floor on the site of the former police station and flats above.

The former magistrates court will be transformed into flats and the road has already been widened ahead of the plans being approved.

During the planning meeting, Councillor Kevin Madge said while he welcomed the redevelopment, the fact that another supermarket would be in area would not be ideal.

He said: “My concern is during the school run there will be more traffic in the area, especially between 2.45pm and 3.30pm.

“There is another supermarket 500 yards down the road, so I am dubious about it.

“I would have preferred something else there but the court being brought back to use as offices is good news.”

Carmarthenshire County Council is working with Aspect Developments Ltd who have issued the plans for the key Ammanford gateway site, which was discussed in November at the Ammanford Regeneration Taskforce set up by county council leader Emlyn Dole.

At the time, Mr Dole said: “This is a key gateway site to Ammanford and its development is part of our aspirations to regenerate the town.”

The two aspects of the scheme were discussed together by the council but each had a separate planning application. This was to allow either of the schemes to be started before the other.

It is understood that the convenience mini supermarket would be opened between 7am and 11pm.

In terms of employment the plan proposed the retail unit will employ six full time staff and 10 part time staff.

The office element is then envisaged to employ in total 15 full time members of staff.