A former water-testing laboratory on the outskirts of Llanelli is to make way for 13 new homes.
Carmarthenshire Council's planning committee approved the application after hearing that some amendments had been made in response to neighbours' concerns.
The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) laboratory on Pen Y Fai Lane relocated to Swansea in 2018.
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Outline plans for 10 houses at the sloping, two-acre site were approved in 2019.
Swansea-based applicant Clews Homes then submitted detailed plans for 15 homes, but this was reduced to 13. Part of the layout was also revised, along with additional landscaping to mitigate privacy concerns.
The scheme comprises two five-bedroom properties, eight four-bed ones, and a terrace of one three-bed and two two-bed homes, two of which will be affordable.
Pen Y Fai Lane resident Joe Cudd addressed the committee to ask that his right to access would be secure. He also acknowledged the revisions by the applicant, and said he had never objected to the principle of development.
A letter from Cwmbach Road resident David Thomas was read out in which he said he didn't think the overbearing impact of three of the 13 houses had been reflected in the planning officers' report, which recommended approval of the scheme.
The letter said reverting back to the proposed 10 houses would be "the simple solution".
Planning agent Luke Grattarola, on behalf of Clews Homes, said the distances between the three houses in question and residents on Cwmbach Road below were "significant".
Councillors asked further questions about access, overlooking impacts and the proposed drainage pond at the site.
Planning officer John Thomas said Mr Cudd, a head teacher, had legitimate right of access and that this wouldn't be impinged.
He said there would be less traffic in and out of Pen Y Fai Lane compared to its previous laboratory use.
Mr Thomas added that the drainage pond would need separate approval and that the council would take over its maintenance, which would require ongoing compliance with Welsh Government regulations.
The council's solicitor, Steve Murphy, said the authority had a lot of experience in maintaining drainage ponds.
"To my knowledge that is working out fine," he said.
But Cllr Deryk Cundy wanted to know if a fence would be put up around it, especially as an open space was earmarked there.
"It is a safety issue, and I think we are leaving ourselves very exposed," he said.
After further discussion, the committee voted in favour of the application, with three abstentions but no objections.
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