Powys County Council’s decision to ignore Welshpool Town Council’s objection to converting Neuadd Maldwyn into a care facility has been branded as ‘absolutely disgusting’ by enraged town councillors last night.
Powys planners last week voted by 14-4 (five abstentions) to proceed with handing over their former Montgomeryshire HQ for free to Clwyd Alyn housing association who will turn it into an 66-dwelling extra care facility at a cost of nearly £12 million.
Welshpool Town Council vehemently oppose the project and have raised a number of concerns, including the objection by adjacent residents.
Town Clerk, Anne Wilson, even addressed the Powys meeting last Friday to relay the concerns in person, but it fell on deaf ears with Powys giving it the thumbs up.
“I am absolutely disgusted in the way that Powys County Council has carried this out,” said former mayor, Cllr Steve Kaye. “It is utterly disgusting that we have no voice whatsoever over what goes on in our town. This is not the way that democracy is done in this country.
“I am ashamed in the way that democracy has been done in Welshpool.”
At last night’s monthly Town Council Zoom meeting, Powys County Councillor for the ward, Cllr Francesca Jump, said she voted against the plans on behalf of her residents, some of whom were listening in last night. Cllr Phil Pritchard, who is also a member of the Powys planning committee, said he too was strongly opposed to it.
Ms Wilson said: “We feel that Powys County Council have listened to none of the objections or taken into consideration any of the rules, laws, or local policies.
“It feels very much like a pre-determination of the outcome because it was already on Tuesday’s agenda (PCC Cabinet meeting) to hand over the building to Clwyd Alyn.
“There is a huge strength of feeling that a lot of information that should have been taken into consideration hasn’t been. We are being encouraged as a Town Council to ask that the application is called in and more investigation is done into it.”
Councillors unanimously agreed to write to the Welsh Government, Russell George MS and the two relevant Ministers to object to the plans by outlining their concerns.
The proposal to close the Neuadd Maldwyn council offices triggered a chain reaction that ultimately saw the library downgraded to the Powysland Museum and charities told to vacate their premises on the high street so that council staff could be moved in. One of those charities was then moved into The Armoury, ending its decades-long use as a sports centre.