Local council land earmarked for housing
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
PCC’s cabinet approved the transfer from the Property Department and Farm Estate, which will go towards the administration’s ambition of building 250 council houses by 2023.
The sites include several former schools and agricultural land which is deemed surplus with the nearest plots to Welshpool being in Llandrinio and Churchstoke.
Portfolio Holder for Property, Cllr Phyl Davies (Conservative – Blaen Hafren) explained: “There has been much discussion over the last two years, and this will enable us to start the building process, it’s a really positive paper again.
Council Leader Cllr Rosemarie Harris said: “This is very much part of the vision that we came into Council with. We want to develop housing and we are lucky that we have these sites in our ownership.”
Cllr Harris said that some sites that are part of PCC’s farms estate had been identified as potential sites for houses by the previous administration.
She added: “It’s taken some time to bring them forward and through the LDP (Local Development Plan). I’m not normally keen to give any of the Farms Estate land away, but if it’s for affordable housing for our residents then I am happy to support it and get on and develop them.”
Portfolio Holder for Housing Cllr James Evans, added: “I’m very supportive of this, it’s a cornerstone of our vision to build houses for our people. If we get houses built, we are delivering on the vision that we promised to our residents.”
Head of legal services, Clive Pinney, confirmed that the transfer value had been independently assessed by the District Valuer.
The sites will be transferred by March 31 and some of the plots already have planning permission for homes granted.
The sites are:
· Llandrindod Wells – land behind Arlais Day Centre by the Library – £130,000
· Sarn, land by the Village Hall – £70,000
· Llandrinio, land behind Orchard Croft – £340,000
· Churchstoke, land at Fir House – £500,000
· The former Bronllys School – £140,000
· Talgarth, former school and community centre – £280,000
· Crickhowell, Upper House Farm -£2 million
· The former Llanigon School – £150,000
· Robert Owen House, Newtown – £135,000
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