Log cabin business plan blocked a second time

For the second time in three months, plans that would allow a log cabin business to operate near Welshpool have been rejected by Powys planners.

Earlier this year, retrospective plans to change the use of agricultural buildings that allow a log cabin construction business with adjoining sawmill to operate at The Gaer Farm, Golfa were lodged with Powys County Council.

The applicant, Nick Jones, has been renting the buildings to a log cabin building business without planning consent.

Agent Richard Corbett, of Roger Parry and Partners, has said that British Log Cabins who rent the buildings employ 10 people there.

Senior planning officer, Kate Bowen, explained that her decision to refuse the application had three key elements.

These are:

-       that there a still unanswered questions that the development would affect highway safety.

-       There is not enough information provided on whether the noise from the development would impact people living nearby, and 

-       more details are needed on the foul drainage arrangements for the scheme.

Ms Bowen said: “Whilst the economic benefits and advantage of the development are appreciated along with the support for economic development in rural areas, particularly because of the Covid-19 pandemic provided through national planning policy, insufficient information has been submitted in terms of highway safety, amenity and foul drainage.

“These matters cannot be conditioned without sufficient information having been submitted to enable consideration.

“Therefore, the economic benefits of the development do not outweigh the material planning considerations which have not been adequately addressed.

“Based on the current submission, the development is considered contrary to Planning Policy Wales, the Powys Local Development Plan and Welsh Government (planning) circulars.”

A similar application for the development was rejected by Powys in December 2021 and this was because the application couldn’t show how safe entry and exit on to the road could be achieved.

Back in February,  Cllr David Jones who represents the area, had said that he wanted to “call in” the application to be decided by the council’s Planning committee.

Ms Bowen considered this request in her report and said that under the rules for a call in to be allowed a “substantial” change from the original application needs to have taken place.

In this instance she believed that the changes had not been “large” enough to allow Cllr Jones’ call in request.