An application to turn the Four Crosses Inn into three dwellings was passed by Powys County Council planners yesterday.
Despite widespread opposition from local people claiming a village hub will be lost forever, planners pointed out that another pub was within walking distance.
The application by Eaglescourt Developments Ltd to convert the pub and build an extension, was called in front of Powys County Council’s planning committee by local member Cllr Arwel Jones.
Llandysilio Community Councillors had opposed the application as they believe it would come under a policy that seeks to protect community assets such as village pubs.
But the applicants said that they had marketed the building for more time than required with no takers. Planning officer, Kate Bowen, also told members that the asking price had been dropped significantly during that time and had recommended conditional consent.
Cllr Elwyn Vaughan asked planning officer Kate Bowen how far away the nearest pub was? He recalled there was one nearby called the Golden Lion. Ms Bowen replied that the Golden Lion was about half a mile away.
Cllr Vaughan was also told that the Four Crosses had been closed since 2014.
“The building needs substantial investment, it’s difficult to justify turning this down when there is a pub nearby,” said Cllr Vaughan who backed the plans.
But Caersws Councillor, Les George, said: “I do believe that rural life is being changed dramatically with the closure of shops, schools and pubs. It’s destroying communities.”
He pointed out that 10 to 12 pubs were closing each week throughout the UK, but he could think of examples in his own ward where the situation had been turned around because pub licensees had “entrepreneurial spirit”.
“If there’s a possibility of someone making a success of it, we should look at that,” added Cllr George.
However Cllr Heulwen Hulme said: “The longer this is empty the more dilapidated it will be. It’s not nice for the community to have a building that is becoming more and more derelict every month. They have failed to sell it even though it was on the market for so long.”
Cllr Hulme indicated that she seconded the proposal.
The plans were passed unanimously by the committee with Cllr George abstaining.
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter