ALMOST 100 new homes could be coming to Llanidloes if plans for a new development in the town go ahead.

Doug Hughes, of Hughes Architects, unveiled plans to Llanidloes Town Council this week that would see 96 houses built on land next to Dolgwenith and Tan Y Bryn.

The plans include 10 ‘affordable homes’, two play parks and additional parking provision for nearby residents.

Now, views are being sought as to what else residents would like to see from the development.

At the council’s meeting on Monday, Mr Hughes highlighted the need for new homes in the county.

“For years and years we have not built enough houses,” he said.

“Powys County Council has a target of 425 houses per annum. The only time they hit that target was in 1966. In 2011, there were 98 new houses.”

He went on to outline the town’s housing needs, saying: “We know there are 124 houses on the waiting list in Llanidloes.

“We know that two, three and four bedroom houses will sell. We know that footballers’ houses will not sell.

“I don’t want this to look like ‘Anywhere-ville’, I want it to look like Llanidloes.”

The ambitious plans were supported by councillors who agreed there was a clear demand.

“Llanidloes is desperate for that step to free up some houses,” said Mayor Councillor Phyl Davies.

“Families are being forced out into Trefeglwys, Carno. It is obvious that it’s a problem.”

Traffic was also a hot topic, with councillors raising concerns over speeding and the current problem of cars parking along Bryn Du Road.

Cllr Davies said: “The parking situation at the moment is not good. It’s not feasible to put that many more properties with that much more traffic on that road.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen as it is.”

Mr Hughes gave reassurance that as part of the planning application, the 30mph speed limit would be extended and a new access would be made to the development site.

He said: “We would put in traffic calming measures to curb what we see as anti-social behaviour on that road.

“We will have some provision within our site for parking for existing residents on that road.”

This was welcomed by the town council, with Cllr Davies saying if the parking was available he would push for yellow lines to be put in place on Bryn Du Road.

Other councillors asked Mr Hughes how much of the proposed site was within the Powys Local Development Plan (LDP).

“Very little. Only the top part of the site – about 21 or 22 houses,” he said. By the end of this year, Powys will have zero land for housing because it has not adopted its LDP.”

Other issues were raised about a water culvert on the site and protection of trees, as well as whether there could be pedestrian access to the play parks from Dolgwenith.

Mr Hughes told councillors that if all goes according to plan, work could begin in two years and houses would become available in phases.

He concluded: “We are being careful about getting a good relationship with existing residents on Tan Y Bryn and Dolgwenith.

“Local intelligence is key to this. We want to get it right.”