Mywelshpool understands that up to 1,000 new houses could be built in Welshpool over the next 15 years unless residents make their opinions known now.
A consultation day is being organised by the Town Council on March 29 for residents to have their say on the Local Development Plan (LDP) which is a water tight document that dictates the area’s development plans until 2027.
And it has become clear that a vast majority of local residents do not realise its importance and the fact that it will be the benchmark for all future planning permissions. Residents are warned that it will be too late to act once it is finalised.
And a mywelshpool calculation has revealed that, based on the previous LDP and another recent report carried out into the area’s housing needs, a whopping 1,000 homes could be earmarked for Welshpool.
“The March 29 consultation is vital for people to make their feelings known so that we as a Town Council can revert back to the document’s authors with a united response,” said Town Clerk, Robert Robinson (left). “We have informed residents as best we can about how important it is that they have their say now because there is no point moaning when it is too late.”
The incredible figure of 1,000 new homes has been calculated taking into consideration that a 15 per cent growth was included in the last LDP which, if implemented now, would mean a further 450 new properties.
In a second document approved last year – the Powys Affordable Housing Policy - Powys County Council said a further 1075 houses must be built within the Welshpool & District area. While that includes a number of communities as well as Welshpool, a bulk will no doubt be built in the town because of its facilities and public transport network.
But the question is, where?
With large parts of the town already tied up with parks and flood restrictions, developers’ would probably look towards Red Bank for further town expansion.
“It is up to the people of Welshpool to tell us on March 29 what they want,” said Mr Robinson. “It is inevitable that new houses will be built but they will have a huge say as to where, how many and what else will come with it in terms of facilities and amenities.”
Mr Robinson said he has already spoken to a majority of the town’s land owners as well as estate agents and other interested parties. He insisted that now is the time for the people of Welshpool to stand up and be counted.
The consultation will take place on March 29 from 8am-10pm in the Corn Exchange on the ground floor of the Town Hall.