Town Council opposing plans for 17 flats

Welshpool Town Council is opposing plans for a block of 17 flats on the site of the former Welshpool Social Club.

Hughes Architects has put forward new plans on behalf of Mid Wales Property, acting for Mid Wales Housing Association for permission to demolish the existing building and erection a block of 17 flats with parking spaces for 17 vehicles - a reduction of two flats.

Hughes Architects say the site sits within the settlement boundary of Welshpool but does not feature in either the Powys County Council Unitary Development Plan (UDP) or Local Development Plan (LDP).

The firm argues that it “provides an exciting and deliverable opportunity for much-needed housing in a town centre location.”

But on Wednesday night the council’s planning committee voted unanimously to oppose the plans at a meeting attended by around 20 people from neighbouring properties.

In September the planners said they would object after seeing plans for a block of 19 flats and are still unhappy despite the reduction in size.

The authority will tell Powys County Council that it objects on the following grounds:

1.   The proposals are an overdevelopment of the site and not in keeping with the character of the area in which it is located.

2.   There is inadequate parking space for both the residents of the flats proposed and for visitors.

3.   There is inadequate road access to the lower level and the road at the upper level is not wide enough to accommodate more traffic movements.

4.   There are no disabled spaces shown on the plans.

5.   The issue of overlooking of adjoining properties has not been addressed.

6.   There is insufficient provision for emergency services.

7.   There is inadequate provision for wheelie bins and re-cycling boxes.

8.   The footpath from the lower to upper level is very close to the windows of the properties proposed.

9.   There appears to be inadequate access

The Committee also suggests that access from Brook Street directly be considered and was also concerned about construction traffic would access the site for construction.

The issue of ensuring adequate sewerage provision was raised due to the difficulties encountered in other areas of the town.