Powys locals angry at Laura Ashley factory lorry park bid

West Yorkshire Fellmongers Ltd - one of the UK's largest suppliers of selected lambskins and sheepskins - has submitted a plan to create a 24 lorry parking spaces beside its leather factory.

Plans submitted to Powys County Council say that permission has already been granted to demolish the now empty Laura Ashley headquarters.

But residents say there is "much anger" in the community about the plans which they believe is being "bulldozed through" with little consultation.

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A Carno resident who did not want to be named said: "When the factory was originally taken over, residents were assured that there would be a maximum of three to four lorries a day going in.

"This assurance has not been kept with an average of seven to eight lorries going in each day.  

"Residents are appalled that their lovely village is going to be turned into an industrial village with lorries coming and going and causing a nuisance at all hours of the day and night. Degradation of roads due to increased traffic and the safety of the elderly and children is clearly not a consideration."

Memory Lane: At work in the new Home Styling Area at Laura Ashley's Carno factory are Jane Parry and Betty Crisp (Image: Powys County Times)

However, other residents who support the plans claim it is "another case of strangers moving in and trying to control everything". While another said: "Would be interesting to know if these people against the lorry park actually lived here when Ashley’s was the hub of the community and a thriving business".

Carno Community Council has told Powys County Council that it "strongly objects" to the plans adding members "disappointment" that West Yorkshire Fellmongers did not consult with councillors or residents "over such a sensitive proposal".

Concerns have been raised about there not being any pedestrian safety measures in place, the "currently high levels" of traffic from heavy goods vehicles due to a major log haulage company depot opposite the former Laura Ashley factory, additional exhaust fumes and a "considerable" level of agricultural traffic in the area.

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The council stated: "There are no details of how many daily movements would be made, but based on parking for 24 lorries, this would generate unacceptable levels of traffic activity.

"The statutory notice advising the public of the planning application was not displayed at the site.

"This matter was raised with Powys County Council Planning on October 18. This seriously reduced the ability of residents to review and comment on the application within the 21-day response period."

The target date for a decision from planners for the application is Monday, November 27.