Powys could approve 40-home site despite strong objections

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Councillors will be advised to approve plans for 40 affordable homes in Trewern, despite the proposal being overwhelmingly objected to by locals.

At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning Committee next Thursday, councillors will decide an application by Harry Bowen of Mid Wales Property (MWP) Developments to build 40 detached and semi-detached dwellings on land at Gate Farm, Criggion Lane.

The application includes the formation of access road and associated works.

The proposal comes before the committee after being called in by the county councillor for Trewern, Amanda Jenner who said: “There is concern over highways issues and access.

“In particular, residents are concerned about the increased traffic along Criggion Lane as well as the access from the A458 on to Criggion Lane where there is already concern about the width of the road.

“There is also concern regarding the capacity of utilities. As part of the consultation the utilities company should be specifically asked to consider whether this development will cause capacity issues to the local sewerage network.”

Trewern Community Council objected to the proposal and provided in depth reasons for doing so on the grounds of: access and traffic, concerns over sewerage, flooding issues and the impact on local amenities and infrastructure.

Planning agents, Asbri Planning ltd, confirmed in a planning statement that all 40 properties would be “affordable homes managed by a registered social landlord”.

The documents show that 26 of the houses would have two bedrooms, 10 would have three bedrooms, two would have four bedrooms and there would also be two bungalows with two bedrooms.

Asbri state: “It is considered that the proposals make an appropriate use of the land, as well as assimilating with and enhancing the surrounding built context.

“The proposals comprise an exciting opportunity to develop an under-used land parcel in a location which has the need for increased affordable housing.”

A letter from Barcud housing association is added to the planning papers which says they are “very interested” in the development.

In her reports, Principal Planning Officer Lorraine Jenkin says that 33 objections have been received against the proposal and just one letter of support.

Ms Jenkin said: “The proposal is considered to comply with policy and contributes positively to meeting local affordable housing needs.

“Given its classification, the loss of this land to development is not considered to conflict with national or local planning policy regarding the protection of high-quality agricultural land.”

Ms Jenkin adds: “Hafren Dyfrdwy, as the statutory water and sewerage undertaker, has been consulted and has raised no objection to the proposal and the use of their facilities

“Overall, the proposal represents a well-considered and policy-compliant development, accordingly, the recommendation is one of approval, subject to conditions.”