The Carmarthen town centre development will take 18 months

The plans will see a shopping centre and a leisure complex built on a town centre site.

The project, which includes plans to move the existing Carmarthen covered market, has aroused opposition from some in the town.

But it was approved by Carmarthenshire council in November before Wednesday's formal signing of the agreement.

The development, across 275,000 square feet of retail and leisure space on the former site of the town's cattle mart, is forecast to create 300 jobs.

It will include a Debenhams store, a seven-screen cinema, restaurants and bowling alley.

There were protests when the plans were considered by the council

The project has met some opposition in the town and around 100 objectors turned up to protest at November's Carmarthenshire council meeting.

Opponents have argued the development will spoil the rural character of the town and have an adverse impact on existing traders.

There has also been opposition over the need to partially close St Catherine Street at the rear of the present market with some householders claiming it will lead to an increase of traffic on side roads.

But council officials claim the scheme will boost the number of people visiting the town by up to 30% once completed and that those opposed to the plans had nothing to fear.