Robbie Savage's hotel in Carmarthenshire a step closer

Former Wales footballer and Strictly Come Dancing competitor Robbie Savage has received outline planning permission for a hotel development at Ffos Las in Carmarthenshire.

He and a business partner want to build a "contemporary" 35-bedroom hotel, restaurant and bar.

On Twitter, Savage said he had received the "fantastic news".

He also wanted "to start up an academy for football" and encourage premier football and rugby teams to stay there.

The Wrexham-born midfielder has teamed with Llanelli based businessman Tony Quaglia for the project on the 20 acre site next to the racecourse.

The pair became friends when Mr Quaglia was a physiotherapist for the Wales football team under former manager Mark Hughes and Savage was a regular international.

The application is being handled by Stuart Owen, a partner at Owen Banks Planning and Development.

A burned-out building, a chalet and stables are currently on the site, near Trimsaran.

It does already have permission for caravan storage for up to 10 caravans.

Earlier this year, the company handling the plans said once outline planning permission was granted, Savage would look for a development partner - possibly a hotel chain.

But the former Birmingham, Blackburn and Leicester midfielder would still want to remain involved with the concept and the hotel.

It is hoped it will create 30 jobs.