Football boss submits new plan for Pinewood

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Football boss Mike Harris has returned to Powys County Council with a new plan tobring the Pinewood back to life.

The New Saints chairman had initial plans for a wine bar refused due to listing issues, but following rounds of negotiation with council officials, he has returned to the table with a new set of plans that will turn the building into tourist accommodation whilst retaining the pub.

Two applications have been submitted by his company, MKH Portfolio Ltd, the first explains how the Pinewood would be converted into six holiday units and the second is an application for listed building consent due to parts of the Pinewood incorporating two separately listed Grade II buildings.

Agents MTC Planning and Design Ltd explained in a design and access statement: “The layout has, quite understandably, been heavily influenced by the existing built fabric.

“The proposals seek full planning permission for the refurbishment of the ground floor Pinewood Tavern and the conversion of redundant hotel rooms into self-contained holiday accommodation.

“This would also see the removal of the existing manager’s accommodation; this itself is also converted into further holiday accommodation.

“The proposals would also see the re-formation of an original bar entrance on the corner of Broad Street and Hall Street, the replacement and refurbishment of the entrance to the upper floor accommodation and a replacement ‘shop front’ extensions to the front of number two Broad Street.”

They explain that five of the six holiday units would have one bedroom while the biggest which has 64.3 square metres of floor area would have two bedrooms.

A heritage statement lodged as part of the listed building consent application explains how the proposal looks to keep as much of the listed building fabric as possible while ensuring “a viable and safe scheme”.

MTC said: “The resultant project will ensure the continued use of the listed buildings, aid the trading of the public house, and add to the vibrancy of Welshpool town centre, thereby contributing to the local economy and protecting the local historic fabric.”

Previous applications, the most recent from 2020, to convert the building into flats were withdrawn after the council’s built and environment heritage officers raised “significant concerns” on the modifications proposed for the building.

Since then, meetings have taken place with the council to discuss these issues and find out what sort of development would be suitable for the Pinewood.

MTC said: “It was agreed by all parties that an application for open market dwellings was not suitable for this site and a revised scheme would be designed and submitted.”

Powys planners are expected to decide by May 4.