Are local councillors set to be overruled again?

Powys County Council is expected to overrule objections from a local community council and approve a 36-house development in a local village next week.

An application has been made to erect 36 homes on land on the western edge of Four Crosses, a plan that contradicts the Land Development Plan for the village, according to the local council.

But a precedent was set recently in Guilsfield where the village council was shunned by Powys who approved an eight-house proposal outside of their Land Development Plan.

Powys is keen to see more housing developments to meet the growing demand and their officers have reported on Four Crosses: “Although it is noted that the proposed development is a departure from the adopted development plan, considerable weight must be given to the need to increase housing land supply.

“The proposed development is for the provision of 36 dwellings in a sustainable location. It is considered that the material consideration of the lack of housing land supply within the county warrants the approval of this development contrary to the provisions of the development plan.”

But local planners are not happy, with Llandysilio Community Council telling the Shropshire Star this week: “The argument for the supply of housing in Powys cannot be allowed to overrule planning policies and principles.”

The council has also raised concerns about the protection of water sources and problems with highways and parking. Councillors also felt there is not the infrastructure in the village to cope with another housing development.

The council stated: “This is a key element in the development of large villages such as Four Crosses.

“I attach a letter from the Medical Centre asking that any future development be asked to make a direct contribution so that the planned extension can go ahead.

“Llandysilio Church in Wales is having to manage in mobile classrooms and we would ask that a contribution is also sought to improve their learning environment.”

The housing estate would include eight affordable dwellings and includes seven two-bedroom semi-detached houses, five three-bedroom semi-detached houses, three two-bedroom terraced homes, six three-bedroom detached houses, seven four-bedroom detached houses, five two-bedroom bungalows and three three-bedroom bungalows.