Protesters talked to councillors outside Cymru Metals

Villagers were opposing an application by Cymru Metals to extend one of the buildings at its site in Gorslas, Carmarthenshire.

Protesters urged councillors to refuse the bid saying they were unhappy with the noise and traffic flow to and from the premises which was the scene of a huge fire last year.

It employs 40 people and recycles hundreds of cars and thousands of tonnes of scrap metal every year.

This village is very busy with the vast amount of traffic and two schools in the vicinity Dilwyn Davies

Members of the authority's planning committee visited the site before sitting down to discuss the application.

Villager Dilwyn Davies said: "We have had problems for over 20 years with complaints.

"We appreciate this is a recycling facility but we would like it relocated outside of the village of Gorslas.

"This village is very busy with the vast amount of traffic and two schools in the vicinity."

The committee had also received objections from local members, the community council and nearby residents.

But the authority's development control manager Stuart Owen said there were no planning grounds on which the application could be refused.

Meirion James said the business should be moved

Although members granted the application they also agreed to ask environmental health officers and the Environment Agency to investigate the site.

Speaking on behalf of the company after the meeting Meirion James said he was pleased the application was granted.