‘We are dead against out-of-town development’

Welshpool Town Council made it clear last night that they are “dead against” out of town developments that are taking business away from the town centre.

With McDonalds and Greggs already open on Buttington roundabout, town councillors are making last gasp efforts to stop plans for a Costa and Burger King to be located in the same location.

And at last night’s Town Council Planning meeting, councillors went one step further by pleading with local media to ensure their message is loud and clear that they don’t support the big brands “taking trade from hard working local businesses” in Welshpool.

Councillors were asked for their views on tweaks to the proposed Costa Coffee drive-thru, which has already been approved by Powys County Council, and they were in no mood to be welcoming, despite it going ahead and Committee Chair, Cllr David France, saying the window for a judicial review was now closed and the planning process was “not fit for purpose”.

Cllr Billy Spencer was particularly animated and said: “They (Powys County Council) have ignored the wishes of the people who represent the town, us, and it is absolutely disgusting.

“Traders are going to ask ‘why weren’t you against it’ so I hope that MyWelshpool can report that we are dead against this development and others down there.

“The litter is unbelievable. I would absolutely hate to live at the Rhallt now. There are cars parked everywhere and you can’t walk on the curbs and yet this is going to be another one.”

Town Mayor, Cllr Nick Howells, pointed out that work had already started on the site and repeated that he, too, was personally against it.

Cllr Spencer added: “If they have put the fence up and started work already, then what is the point of us sitting here and being asked to discuss it? We represent the townspeople, but we are being completely ignored. It leaves the town with no voice, as we are their voice, but Powys County Council are taking business from Welshpool town centre to Buttington Cross.

“They are taking the livelihoods from people in this town to fund the massive franchises. It’s absolutely disgusting. People need to be clear that we are dead against this drive-thru development.”

Cllr Estelle Bleivas described it as “incredibly underhanded” and backed Cllr Spencer’s call for the council to make its position clear to the town.

Councillors unanimously backed a proposal not to support the plans listed at last night’s meeting, and vowed to continue to be vocal with their ongoing opposition.