Members of Carmarthenshire County Council's planning committee viewed the area to assess the £4.5m proposal - which could create about 130 jobs.

It is the main topic of conversation ...people are looking forward to the jobs already

Jack Done, community association member

The council is waiting to hear whether the Welsh Assembly will want to call in the plans for further examination before it reaches a decision on the site's future.

Concerns have been raised over the plans by conservationists who fear there could be a detrimental impact on the environment.

The application includes a 300-pond development on marshy land near the coastal area of Pendine.

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

'Well-paid'

However, local community representatives have pledged their full support for the scheme.

Chairman of the Llanmiloe community association in Carmarthenshire, Jack Done said: "We have lost hundreds of jobs over the last 10 years with the rundown of the Ministry of Defence testing establishments.

"The 127 jobs are well-paid and they aren't seasonal, which is basically all that is on offer in this community.

"It is the main topic of conversation...people are looking forward to the jobs already."

Following the site visit Carmarthenshire councillors have said they will consider the planning application at the end of the month.

Dragon Baits Limited, based in Port Talbot, south Wales, wants to create ponds to rear ragworms at a 160-acre site.

Pollution fears

The land adjoins an old weapons testing range, which employed about 800 people until the 1960s.

But opposers claimed the area - adjacent to a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) - would be adversely affected by the scheme.

They said they feared the ponds could pollute beaches in Pendine and the estuary, affecting cockle beds in Carmarthen Bay.

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

Ragworms are used by millions of sea anglers.

They also provide a highly nutritious feed used for fish and shrimp brood stocks in aquaculture.

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

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