CARMARTHENSHIRE county council acted unlawfully in allowing the demolition of The Old Mill in Pontaman, it has emerged.

The Welsh Government confirmed County Hall breached its own planning restrictions by granting permission for the demolition of the listed building, after concerns were raised by AMRhodri Glyn Thomas.

The local authority is one of only three in Wales with delegated powers fromCadw – the guardian of built heritage inWales. But Minister for Heritage Huw Lewis confirmed its authority did not include demolition.

Mr Thomas said his main concerns were the failure in processes of the planning authority. “I was minded to believe the county council may have breached the delegated authority granted to it by the Welsh Government,”

he said.

“The Minister for Heritage has this week confirmed my doubts. The matter is nowunder consideration by Cadw and we must await its conclusions. What is clear from the minister’s response is Carmarthenshire county council has not followed proper processes.”

Eifion Bowen, the county council’s planning chief, said: “The matter is in Cadw’s hands.”