A CARMARTHENSHIRE businessman said he was thrilled that he can build a new showroom and offices at his farm.

Kevin Thomas said he hoped to start work on the building for his window, door and kitchen venture at Pentop Farm, near Newcastle Emlyn, shortly.

His application for the showroom and offices was approved unanimously by the county council’s planning committee at a meeting on February 27.

He and wife Sioned run a string of businesses and employ around 50 people.

“I’m over the moon with the decision,” said Mr Thomas.

“We’ve had the business since 1988 and grown it gradually over the years. The way farming is at the moment, there’s not much return there.

“It’s so important for the rural community that businesses like this do get support from local councils.”

Ffenestri Kevin Thomas Windows currently operates nearby from a smaller building, which is said to have reached capacity.

The planning committee heard the most suitable unit for the expanding business was 12 miles away near Carmarthen.

Two nearby households objected to the showroom and offices application, raising concerns about traffic on the single track road serving the development site and also its potential impact on the area’s natural habitat, among other things.

Cenarth Community Council backed the application, as did ward member for the area, Cllr Hazel Evans.

Speaking at the planning meeting, Cllr Evans said: “It is an existing business, it’s going to be slightly enlarged. I would envisage there is no increase in traffic.”

Two new passing bays will be provided as part of the development, which will have a rounded roof to reflect two former Dutch barns at the site.

A council planning officer said the remote location made the sustainability of the site “questionable” in highway terms because employees and customers would have to drive there.

But he said this had to be balanced against the “complementary nature of the development in association with the already established business”.

He added that employee car-sharing would be encouraged and that customers often visited by appointment.

Planning officers recommended the application for approval.

Cllr Ken Howell said this was the type of company a council task force looking at how to boost rural communities wanted to see.

“People complain that this is located in a rural area – it has to be because of a lack of appropriate sites for such businesses,” he said.

Father-of-three Mr Thomas is a carpenter by trade and said having “great people around you” was key to running a business.

He said of the 200-acre farm, which has 500 ewes and 50 breeding cows: “By the time you have paid the wages there are no returns at all.”