Four Crosses homes plan approved

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for a dozen new homes in Four Crosses have been given the green light by Powys County Council planners – despite local objections.

The outline planning application to build up to 12 homes, infrastructure, and access at Wychwood which is a bungalow within the site, is by a Mr D, Evans on behalf of the Wychwood Trustees.

The proposal is for six three-bedroom semi-detached houses, five four-bedroom detached houses and one four-bedroom “large” detached house.

But the detail of this development which includes “elements of demolition” will form part of a “reserved matters” planning application that will need to be submitted and approved at a later date.

What has been settled at this stage is the principle of building homes on the site.

But the application was not supported by Llandysilio Community Council with clerk, Carol Davies, explaining that councillors believed that the development does not respond to the “local need” for housing. They also cited road safety reasons for their decision.

Mrs Davies said: “All of the dwellings have three or more bedrooms which does not provide for those looking for a starter home or those looking to retire.

“This section of the B4393 carries a significant amount of traffic which is set to increase with the completion of the housing developments at Kings Acre and on the former pub site.”

Powys’ head of planning, property and public protection, Gwilym Davies said: “Outline planning permission is approved.

“Details of the appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority before any development begins and shall be carried out as approved.

“Any application for approval of the reserved matters shall be made to the local planning authority not later than three years from this permission.”

Part of the discussion at the later stage will be around affordable home provision.

Mr Davies explains that affordable housing would be for “not less” than 10% of the housing units or bed spaces. In this case the contribution amounts to two houses.

The “timing” of when the affordable homes would be built, in relation to the rest of the development, how they would be managed or whether they should be transferred to a social housing landlord when completed, would also need to be finalised.