The site of a �4.5m proposed fishing bait farm will be visited by councillors before a decision on planning permission is made.

Members of Carmarthenshire council have discussed the application for a 300 pond ragworm farm on marshy land near Pendine, west Wales.

The application was discussed in County Hall

If the plans are given the go-ahead, nearly 150 jobs could be created.

However, serious reservations about the project have been raised by conservation groups who fear it will have a detrimental impact on the environment.

Conservationists and local residents fear the project could increase pollution and reduce the natural habitat for protected species in the area.

Adverse effect

Dragon Baits Limited based in Port Talbot, south west Wales, want to build the ponds to rear ragworms over a 160-acre site near Army ranges in Pendine.

But campaigners claim the area - adjacent to a site of special scientific interest - would be adversely affected by the scheme.

Protesters say cockle beds could be affected

They fear the ponds could pollute beaches in Pendine and the estuary - affecting cockle beds in Carmarthen Bay.

The land adjoins the Proof and Experimental weapons testing range, which used to employ about 700 people - but hundreds were laid off after the end of the Cold War.

The company behind the scheme has already developed an aquaculture enterprise at Baglan to supply the fishing industry with live bait.

Ragworms are used as bait by millions of sea anglers fishing from the shore or from small boats.

It is also a highly nutritious feed used with fish and shrimp brood stocks in aquaculture.

More worms

However, the company have said their Baglan site offers limited scope for expansion.

The proposed facility at Pendine would be to rear young ragworms on a far greater scale - allowing the firm to expand into the shrimp and prawn feed sector.

Councillors on the planning committee have been recommended to approve the scheme despite objections from a number of groups.

The Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB), The Countryside Council for Wales and local community councils have raised concerns over the plans.