Some locals think the younger generation are set to benefit from a new McDonald's in Ammanford.

Despite more than 200 responses initially rejecting the proposal, a few residents believe the fast food chain will bring working opportunities for teenagers and give them another place to have fun.

This comes after the proposed restaurant next to Tesco with a drive through, 76-seat dining area, restrooms and a play frame received full planning permission back in June.

Pauline Begley thinks more grandparents will bring their grandchildren to the area.Pauline Begley thinks the McDonald's will bring more grandparents with their grandchildren to town. (Image: Newsquest) Pauline Begley said: “I think it’s a good thing for the kids. Let the kids enjoy the McDonald's. It should bring more people to the area along with grandparents and their grandchildren.”

Robert Hier agreed: “It will bring in jobs for the youngsters but it’s not good for health. It might also bring some passive trade – nothing in the town centre though.”

Janice Kirk added: “They should keep things as they are. I think the younger generation would like it though.”

Meanwhile, another local who wished to remain anonymous expressed how the new McDonald's would be more convenient for those living in the area.

He said: “I think that would be good. It costs petrol and travel to go to the McDonald's in Cross Hands. It would be easier for people who use the local Lloyds bank on the high street.”

However, according to the Carmarthenshire planning portal, discharge of Condition 11 (Construction Environmental Management Plan) is still under consultation.

Condition 11 states “No development including site clearance, shall commence until a site wide Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

A letter from Chris Flattery at Public Health Services on August 29 reiterated the need for the development to comply with all Environmental Health Legislation.

Furthermore, last month (August 2024) a change to the layout of the roof was altered as part of a discharge of conditions.

Still, the development is set to go ahead with no objections from Head of Transport & Highways, Network Rail, Head of Public Protection, Natural Resources Wales or Welsh Water.

When the application was first submitted, Ammanford Town Council had concerns such as a loss of privacy for residents, traffic congestion, anti-social behaviour and noise and disturbance.

The council also asked for adjustments including a closing time of midnight instead of 24-hour operation, daily litter patrols with more bins and regular emptying, installation of a 2.5m high solid fence and car registration numbers on packaging for litter control.