25 houses planned for small village

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for a new housing estate in a small Montgomeryshire village have been lodged with Powys county planners.

Richard Glover-Davies of Montgomeryshire Homes wants to build 25 dwellings, which include three affordable homes as well as vehicle access and associated works, at land next to Maes Dinas, Llanfechain, near Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain.

The development is for eight detached and eight semi-detached properties. Nine dwellings would also be built in a terrace.

The houses would have two, three and four bedrooms while bungalows would have two bedrooms.

Planning Agent, Gerallt Davies of Roger Parry and Partners, explained the proposal in a Design, Access and Planning statement.

Mr Davies said: “The different types of houses are pepper potted across the site, to ensure it provides a diverse range of properties throughout the site.

“The appearance of the dwellings is an important factor to consider, ensuring the proposed build is in keeping with the immediate area.

“The site location within the small village made the consideration of appearance easier with Llanfechain having predominantly stone, brick and render properties.

“The appearance with red facing brick, stonework and traditional roofing will ensure it will fit in within the village.”

While Llanfechain is a small village in the current Powys Local Development Plan (LDP) it is defined as a “large village”.

This means that it “has a strategic role in providing a range of services and number of housing”.

Mr Davies said: “It has good connectivity to other large towns and a range of existing services makes Llanfechain a vital village to assist in the housing land supply figures for Powys.”

He continued: “The proposed scheme will inevitably boost the local economy, in providing additional housing in the village, providing work during construction to local businesses and labourers.

“Socially, the development will provide more housing for local people, and those properties being of a size and value which are in the confines of local people’s budgets.”

Mr Davies doesn’t believe the “level” of housing that is being proposed would have a major effect on local services such as health and schools.

“In fact, the housing proposed will indeed assist in keeping local schools open, as the housing is designed for young families,” said Mr Davies.

A decision on the application is expected by January 22.