Council says NO to new housing estate
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
Last November, it emerged that Welshpool-based Richard Glover-Davies of Montgomeryshire Homes had lodged plans with Powys County Council to build 25 dwellings, which included three affordable homes as well as vehicle access and associated works, on land next to Maes Dinas, Llanfechain, near Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain.
The development was for eight detached and eight semi-detached properties, with nine dwellings to be built in a terrace.
The houses would have two, three, and four bedrooms, while bungalows would have two bedrooms.
Once villagers found out about the proposal, they formed an action group to oppose it, and the report shows that 73 objections had been made against the proposal.
Local Powys councillor, Gwynfor Thomas (Conservative – Llansantffraid), had called in the application to be decided by the Planning Committee, which he subsequently withdrew when told the application would be refused.
Planning Officer, Lorraine Jenkin, explained in her report that the applicants had failed to supply enough relevant information to justify the development on several points.
These include a lack of Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) to explain how the houses would relate to nearby historic buildings such as St Garmon’s Church.
Information that would have explained the development’s impact on the nearby Tanat and Vyrnwy Bat Sites SAC (Special Area of Conservation) had not been included.
The effect of the new houses on the privacy of existing houses was also a problem, and Ms Jenkin explained that the applicants had been asked for a solution, but nothing came forth.
The design was also criticised.
Ms Jenkin said: “The layout is basic and uninspired, with the majority of the dwellings being straight onto the highway in rows with parking in the fore.
“The dwellings have large gardens, with little space being given in the estate for public open space (POS). This has resulted in the layout being car-centric and uninspired.
“No attempts have been made to link the development to the wider community from the village centre. The development will have the visual aspect of being basically a row of houses behind the existing village development.”
Ms Jenkin adds that the applicant has also failed to address issues on footpaths and flooding with the site, which also contribute to her overall decision.
She explained: “This submission is considered to be inadequately resourced and fails to have followed some significant policy requirements.
“Some of the inadequacies could be resolved by additional information or requirements for that further information at condition, but others should inform the proposal in the first instance and cannot be dealt with retrospectively.
“It is therefore considered that the application should be refused.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|