A £1 million mountain bike centre is planned for Carmarthenshire’s Brechfa Forest.

If given the go-ahead it would be built on land adjacent to the Byrgwm Forest, near Brechfa, and comprise a bunkhouse for 34 guests, plus 12 camping pods, catering and shower facilities, a bike repair shop, information area and games room.

Applicant Garry Jones, of Brechfa, said up to 20,000 people per year used mountain bike trails in the area.

He said he felt there was a shortage of accommodation preferred by bikers, and was confident the demand was there.

“I would not be doing this if I didn’t think it would work,” he said.

Mr Jones, who works in construction, reckoned the venture would cost £1 million and create 14 full and part-time jobs. A design and access report submitted on behalf of Mr Jones said mountain bikers from all over the UK came to Brechfa to try out the various trails.

Other biking and walking hotspots like Afan Forest near Port Talbot, it said, had a visitor centre, toilets and nearby accommodation.

“Our proposed building is set in a secluded setting between the Byrgwm Forest and the tree line to the south of Byrgwm Bach, with the building only in view to those passing the main highway,” said the report.

It said the centre could be used for weddings, but Mr Jones said weddings would not take place there. Wales’ environment body Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it did not object to the mountain bike centre proposal, subject to all relevant permits being obtained.

Carmarthenshire Council planning officers are assessing the application and responses from people in the area. Publican George Rashbrook said he welcomed the potential rise in footfall and that he understood the mountain bike centre would not serve food in the evenings.

“Should the business in the unlikely event compete with ours and other local pubs, our pub may no longer be viable in this rural location,” he said.

Peter and Nichola Welton, who live closest to the proposed centre, said they recognised its potential benefits but claimed it would directly overlook their property.

Another resident, Lisa Harding-Jones, said there was plenty of existing accommodation in the area and claimed “a complete holiday complex will totally change the feel of the area”.

NRW estimated three years ago that mountain biking was worth more than £23 million per year to the Welsh economy.