Powys planners scolded by Welshpool Town Council over Costa green light

Powys County Council’s (PCC) ears will be burning tomorrow night when they are expected to come in for a lambasting from Welshpool Town Council who claim that the authority is “ignoring” them on local planning applications.

In a scathing letter to PCC to be read out at the town council’s Planning Meeting on Wednesday evening, but already seen by MyWelshpool, the local authority, consisting of volunteer councillors who don't make decisions on planning applications but can offer advice and opinions, said: “We have concerns about the fundamental strategic, operational and cultural weaknesses of the Council’s Planning Service.”

Welshpool Town Council is raging after their concerns and objections over plans to build a new drive-thru Costa Coffee along with associated works, that includes demolishing a house, near Buttington roundabout were ignored.

Planning permission was granted by PCC last month despite Welshpool advising them that “members objected strongly to this application” due to it being outside the previously agreed Land Development Plan for Welshpool. They also had concerns about pedestrians crossing the road at the junction of the roundabout.

They also stated that “councillors oppose such commercial development outside the town centre” claiming this was in line with Welsh Government’s Town Centre First guidance.

“These weaknesses hinder its ability to consistently and sustainably support staff and members to deliver an effective service that helps the council achieve its corporate objective.”

The letter goes on to say that Welshpool Town Council’s Planning Committee comprises of volunteers “who are committed to represent their constituents and do so entirely voluntarily”.

“However,” it states, “in undertaking this role they give up several hours each month in site visits, investigation and meetings. Cumulative evidence shows that the views of the local democratic body are ignored, or at best disregarded by a Local Authority (PCC) that has little knowledge of the issues and impacts, whilst assuring that it has ambitions of becoming stronger, fairer and greener.”

At the PCC planning meeting itself where the decision was rubber stamped, Welshpool Town Councillor, David France, warned that developments like this were turning Welshpool into a “ghost town”.

The letter was sent to PCC on October 13, and it will be revealed tomorrow night whether a response has been received.