Scarlets plan expansion

Carmarthenshire Council and Llanelli Scarlets have revealed plans of a joint venture for a new 15,000 capacity rugby and athletics complex in the West Wales town.

Plans for the project, which will cost an estimated £45m, have been submitted.

They show a food store, a hotel, two fast food restaurants, a pub and a petrol station, commercial developments which would help fund the project.

The estimated completion date for the project would be August 2007, with work due to start in Spring next year.

Club Chief Executive Stuart Gallagher said the move would secure the future of the Scarlets, who would have to leave Stradey Park where they have existed since 1879.

"In the professional era you can't do without the best facilities on and off the field so this project is essential to help us realise our ambition," said Gallagher to the BBC.

"It will also provide the people of Carmarthenshire with outstanding sports facilities on their doorstep."

As well as the commercial areas, the complex includes the stadium, an indoor training barn, athletics track with 500-seater stand, floodlit practice pitch and gymnastics facility.

"This is a very ambitious development and we are pleased to be making such good progress," said Council Executive member Clive Howells.

"We still have a lot of work to do before we are in a position to finalise the scheme, but it is proceeding very well."