Councillors back farm business relocation
The application by Callum Hughes was before councillors at a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee meeting yesterday (Thursday).
He wanted a change of use of two sheds and a yard from agricultural, to agricultural machinery business, so that they can be used for storage maintenance and repairs at Plasgwyn bungalow to the north of the village.
Principal Planning Officer, Kate Bowen, recommended approving the plan with conditions attached that would improve the access and visibility at the site.
Cllr Gwynfor Thomas (Conservative -Llansantffriad) said: “The main concern is highways. The Winllan road connects the Tanat valley with the Vyrnwy valley – not to use this road puts six to eight miles on your journey.
“It is a well-used route and has given me problems over my 12 to 14 years as a councillor. There are issues of speeding and treacherous conditions in the winter and lots of accidents on this road and subsidence in some places.
“This road needs some attention – there are problems and it is very narrow.”
Llansantffraid and Deuddwr Community Council Chair, Cllr Bethan Cross, said: “There is concern that Winllan road is not adequate to support large agricultural vehicles that this change in business use is likely to generate.”
She added that one passing bay would “not improve the safety for road users” as the risky sections of road had not been addressed.
Applicant Mr Hughes said that the business currently works out of a rented yard in the nearby village of Arddleen, adding: “Relocating the business to our small holding in Llansantffraid is essential.
“We are trying to run the business while caring for 500 cattle and farming 100 acres intensively. This places huge pressure on our work-life balance.
“Diversification is the only realistic way for us to remain as farmers in Powys and bringing the business home is the only practical way to achieve that.”
While he was happy that planning officers had backed the scheme, he was disappointed that condition 12 had been placed on it, which would restrict sales and hire from the site.
Mr Hughes said: “This is like putting me in a boxing ring with an arm tied behind my back – the travel movements are minimal given that most transactions are done online via Facebook and phone calls.”
Cllr Karl Lewis (Reform UK – Llandinam and Dolfor) asked for confirmation from Highway Officers that they were happy with the proposal.
Improvement and Programme Change Manager, Paul Wozencraft, said: “Ideally you would like to see this type of business on a principal or class two highway where you get a free flow of traffic for all types of vehicles.
“I believe the conditions that we suggested will be a significant improvement.”
Due to this, Cllr Lewis moved a motion to approve the proposal.
Cllr Gareth Pugh (Conservative – Dolforwyn) asked whether condition 12 could be removed before the committee went to a vote.
Cllr Pugh said: “We’ve heard this is a well-used road, it’s unreasonable to constrain business activity, it’s really unfair. Removing the condition is sensible.”
Committee Chair, Cllr Gareth D Jones (Powys Independent – Llanfair Caereinion and Llanerfyl), said that this issue lay in the description of the business in the application.
For the sales side of the business to be allowed, a different set of data on traffic movements for Winllan road needed to be submitted.
Development Management Team Leader, Gemma James, added that amending the description of the development was not in the “gift” of the committee.
“It would require a further planning application to secure that sales use,” said Mrs James.
Councillors then went to the vote and unanimously approved the application.
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