VICTORY IN PLANNING BATTLE

Greyfriars Shopping Centre manager John Nash is delighted with the victory over Carmarthenshire Council in the Centre's application for a name change.

Conservationists and church leaders opposed rebranding Greyfriars, which was originally named after a medieval abbey at the site, to Merlin’s Walk because they said the wizard’s links with the town were only based on myth or legend.

The end of the dispute with planners created considerable newspaper, tv and radio publicity and was the main item on the BBC Wales website after the final decision.

Greyfriars now has permission to erect a statue of the wizard which it hopes will help boost trade at a time when another centre is preparing to open nearby.

The Centre argued there were clear links between the legend and Carmarthen which were already used by the council to promote the town, including its annual Merlin Festival.

The council’s planning officers recommended councillors refuse the application.

They said part of the site was in a conservation area and although it was a historical fact there was once an abbey on the site the tradition connecting Carmarthen with Merlin was loosely based on myth and legend.

Canon Patrick Thomas, vicar of Christchurch in Carmarthen, said: “In the middle ages the grey friars were the social services of Carmarthen - it was an important religious and cultural centre."

But at the planning meeting councillors went against their officers’ advice and allowed the name change.

Planning permission has also been given for the wooden statue.

Mr Nash said he was “overjoyed” at the decision.

He said the Centre had to take action to attract more businesses and customers as the £80m St Catherine’s Walk scheme was due to open next year.

"Our traders will be delighted. It gives us a way forward and a way to market our centre and attract new traders," he said.