Second Llanfyllin bike track deemed illegal by planners

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

As a new state-of-the-art bike track opened to huge fanfare in Llanfyllin this week, an unconnected second one that was built without permissions has been deemed as illegal by Powys planners.

Parc Beicau Coed y Cain Bike Park track was heralded as a huge addition to the community when it opened behind the high school last weekend.

But plans to legitimise an already built mountain bike track near Llanfyllin have been thrown out by Powys councillors, who nave sent a warning to developers that they need to apply for the necessary planning permission first, rather than build what they want and apply for later.

At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee yesterday, councillors received a proposal to build a “part retrospective” non-motorised bike track, siting of two containers, construction of new access and associated works at Maes Loonskie, Cwm Nant y Meichiaid – which is roughly in the countryside between Llanfyllin and Meifod.

The applicants are Sam Hodgson and Vero (Veronique) Sandler who is one of the current big names in women’s mountain bike free riding.

The application had been called in for decision by the Planning committee by local county councillor, Jonathan Wilkinson.

There had also been 20 objections made against the application.

Senior planning officer Kate Bowen recommended that councillors refuse the application as the bike track has a negative impact upon the setting of the group of listed buildings at Plas Nant y Meichiaid, which is just 150 metres away from the site.

She added that the bike track creates an “alien topography which is at stark contrast to the existing landscape”.

Cllr Wilkinson (Conservative -Llangyniew and Meifod) said: “I’m absolutely baffled why anybody embarking on a development of this scale would not have consulted with the local community, assessed the ecology of the area and address access issues.

“I first became of aware of this about two years ago when residents reported huge amounts of earth being moved on a steep side near their properties serviced by a single-track C (County) road.”

He said that this had caused issues with water run-off during periods of heavy rain.

According to the documents, the bike track is for private use only – but this was questioned by Cllr Wilkinson and another local objector, Sarah Eaton, as  “significant” amounts of traffic going up to the bike track to use it had been seen by residents.

Clips and articles are still online of bikers using the track and an event dubbed the “Back Yard Battle” was held there last summer.

Cllr Wilkinson added that there are “dwellings” on site and at least one is “occupied” adding: “I would have liked to see an application include those dwellings as we’re almost pretending they don’t exist.”

Planning Agent, Oliver Evans, told the committee that the applicants had a: “clear willingness to make meaningful adjustments to the track layout in order to reduce visual impact and respond to concerns raised.”

He stressed that planning policy stressed the need to support sustainable economic development in the countryside.

Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru – Glantwymyn said that from the photographs shown to the committee that a “scarring of the countryside” had happened.

Cllr Vaughan said: “We need to send a message this is not acceptable.”

He moved the proposal to refuse planning permission as it was not right that developers build first and then lodge an application in the expectation that the council will “bend over” and permit it afterwards.

Cllr Angela Davies (Liberal Democrat – Rhayader) said: “I know lots of people would be excited by this development and biking is a growth industry.

“But I just cannot get my head around what the developers were thinking that this was OK to do this without planning permission.”

She added that she had “Googled” the site and continued: “There’s a lot of videos around. The Backyard Battle event was held at this site in June 2025 with music and dancing.

“That was a big event – so I think it’s disingenuous to say this is for personal use.”

Committee Chairman, Cllr Gareth D Jones (Powys Independents - Llanfair Caereinion and Llanerfyl), said: “We want to send a clear message that we won’t stand for this.”

Councillors unanimously voted to refuse the application.