Plans to change an agricultural outbuilding into an engineering workshop have been approved by the planning committee.

Manafon Community Council had already raised objections to the application by pointing out that there was an agricultural occupancy restriction placed on the building.

This had been removed by a certificate of lawfulness for the current owners who had lived there for more than 10 years.

Prospective buyer Mark Wild, who owns Millroom Mixing Machines Ltd, had made the application so that machines can be serviced there.

County Councillor for Rhiwcynon, Heulwen Hulme (Independent), spoke against the application.

Cllr Hulme said: “This is a very rural, calm and sedate location.

“This is not a vast building. If this is a relocation from Irlam in Manchester it would not accommodate all the equipment.

“I don’t want the committee to be mislead, and an application to extend the workshop to be in front of us next year."

Cllr Hume pointed out that there were industrial units available in Newtown for this type of work.

Agent Geraint Davies disagreed over the agricultural occupancy condition and said: “There was an agricultural occupancy condition but a certificate of lawfulness was granted as the owners had breached that condition.

“It is lawful for any person to live in the property.

“It’s only scrap metal that will be based any lubricants will be in the machines.

“The applicant is more than willing to change the hours of business from 8am to 6pm if they feel that is better for the community.

“It’s refreshing to see a company like this coming to Powys in these uncertain economic times and it’s about bringing a redundant building back into use.”

Mr Davies said that only six machines would be kept at the building and would take up 270 square feet while the building is 1,500 square feet.

Cllr Les George (Conservative – Caersws) said: “This is moving industrial manufacturing to a rural area.

“It’s close to to a caravan park and people are here for peace and tranquillity, so this is a complete contrast. You would not build a caravan park next to an industrial unit.

“This kind of business is more apt for an industrial estate in the towns.”

Cllr George was worried that having industrial developments as well as intensive farming units was going to see many more HGV’s using the smallest rural roads.

He said: “If we start introducing industrial manufacturing into rural area, what sort of congestion will we be promoting?”

Highways officer Simon Crew told Cllr George that unless deemed otherwise small rural roads are open to all vehicles.

Councillor Michael J Jones proposed the application which was seconded by Cllr David Selby and passed unanimously.