A PRIMARY school in Carmarthenshire is to be knocked down and six houses built in its place.

Carmarthenshire Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the application for the former Nantygroes county primary at a meeting on June 8.

The school, in Milo, north-west of Llandybie, has been empty for several years.

The application by Shire Homes (Carms) Ltd had led to five objections from residents who were concerned that the houses would overlook neighbouring bungalows.

Family properties, it was also claimed, would change the character of a village predominantly occupied by retirees. Traffic and biodiversity issues were also raised.

Carmarthenshire planning officers said in a report that the impact of the proposed scheme was acceptable.

They said there were sufficient gaps between the proposed four-bedroom houses and neighbouring bungalows, and recommended conditions to include obscure glazing where there was the potential for overlooking.

They added that the houses would be a similar height to the school.

A planning officer reminded the committee that outline planning permission had been granted for seven rather than six houses.

“We see the layout as perfectly acceptable,” he said. “Six (houses) is far better than seven.”

There were no questions from councillors, and the recommendation for approval was passed unanimously.

The developer must provide a bat house in a corner of the one-acre site, which was sold at auction for £180,000 in 2019.