Ammanford town centre's commercial sector received a boost this week following Carmarthenshire County Council's decision to speed up all 'change of use' planning applications for empty shops.

The Local Development Order (LDO) hopes to attract fresh investment to the area by reducing the timescales and costs associated with making new planning applications. 

It also aims to assist business development projects following the challenges faced as a result of Covid-19.

Bringing empty shops back into use in Ammanford town centre is one of the County Council's key priorities.

“An LDO can contribute to local economic development and regeneration  by helping to make places more attractive and competitive," said council leader Emlyn Dole. 

"They simplify the planning process by removing the need for planning applications and they allow developers to progress with more speed and certainty whilst reducing costs.

"In town centres, LDOs can help address the problem of vacant properties to achieve more viable and vibrant centres and allow for specified changes of use to take place without the applicant having to apply for traditional planning permission.

"It's vital that Ammanford Town Centre is able to respond positively to the changes arising from Covid-19 and the adoption of the LDO will make it easier for developers to move forward with their plans as well as encouraging ongoing and new investment in the town centre.”

An LDO is already operating successfully in Llanelli Town Centre.