Legal fight over plans near historic site
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
They are opposed to detailed plans for a house on land at Pwll Farm, Hen Domen, on outskirts of Montgomery.
The plans are for a two-storey three-bedroom house with detached garages, alterations to vehicular access, installation of septic tanks and all associated works.
The principle of development at the site was agreed following a successful outline planning application in 2018, but this was for two small houses.
Hendomen resident, Bruce Lawson, has said he is taking legal advice over the plans.
He believes there are issues with how the application has been dealt with by officers under delegated powers.
Mr Lawson said: “Wesee from the website that it’s just been approved, but it needs to be rubber-stamped by councillors at their next meeting.
“The website does not show the residents’ objections from the outset, particularly in respect of highway and local needs issues. I’m very frustrated and annoyed, we’ve got to a stage where we won’t be able to have a say on detailed plans.
“The plans have changed from two local needs cottages, to a great big house that will be seen from Montgomery Castle. The land between is a registered Historic Landscape of Wales. There are 29 objections lodged with the department.”
He added that opponents of the development were writing to the chairman of the planning committee, Cllr Karl Lewis, asking for it to be discussed at a meeting.
Mr Lawson added that an agricultural access to be built as part of the scheme could open up another field potentially for development.
The lane, has only been used for access for 20 years and the potential for extra traffic has raised concerns.
“We could have 40 or 50 houses, facing Montgomery Castle, built here because of this,” said Mr Lawson.
The application was “called in” by Powys County Councillor for Montgomery, Cllr Stephen Hayes, to be discussed at the committee, but his request missed the deadline.
Planning officer Richard Edwards explains in his report that the outline planning application for two houses had been dealt with as a “departure application”, a technical term for planning applications that don’t correspond to local development plans.
The advice from the Welsh Government at the time was to have planning authorities give “significant weight” in decision making, to any shortfall in housing land supply in Powys.
Mr Edwards, said: “The proposed dwelling is of a modern design of high quality and would be considered to enhance the amenity of the surrounding area.
“Whilst the design of the proposed dwelling differs from others in the vicinity, officers note that the area benefits from a mix of styles, and therefore would not be been seen out of context with the area.”
Mr Edwards also said that the objections raised by the opponents of the plans should have been done on the “outline planning” stage and “are not matters that were reserved for future consideration”.
He added: “Officers are satisfied that the proposed development complies with the relevant policies and the recommendation is one of approval.”
The application area is 180 metres east of scheduled monument Hen Domen Mound & Bailey Castle and 86 metres east of scheduled monument Hen Domen Pre-Conquest Fields.
Hen Domen which means “Old Mound” in English is believed to have been built by Roger De Montgomery in 1070.
It was built to guard a ford over the river Severn.
De Montgomery, the first Earl of Shrewsbury, became one of the wealthiest landowners in England following the Norman Conquest.
He was a relative and one of William of Normandy’s principal advisers during his reign as the first Norman King of England.
PICTURE (by Richard Law): Hen Domen, which means “Old Mound” in English, is believed to have been built by Roger De Montgomery in 1070.
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