MORE than 200 metres of hedgerow will be removed from close to the B4518 road near Llanbrynmair.

This is the first phase of preparing to move the road away from an “active” landslip.

Members of Powys County Council’s planning committee heard the three applications as one to remove, 30 metres, 120 metres and 60 metres of hedgerow there.

Planning officer Luke Jones said: “The hedgerow removal is to facilitate moving the county highway south-east from an active landslip.

“Having carefully considered the hedgerow removal, it is considered that the hedgerow does not qualify as important under the hedgerow regulations.

“In light of this, the council will not be serving a hedgerow retention service.”

Committee chairman, Cllr Karl Lewis (Conservative – Llandinam), advised councillors to keep their comments to each individual application.

Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru – Glantwymyn) said: “The comments I have are relevant to all three applications. This is serious situation.

“The road has been giving way in this area for years.

“The concerns locally are, that unless work is carried out soon then there will inevitably be a need to close the road and this will create more problems for villagers. I will take the opportunity of welcoming these applications.

“These hedges are not of much environmental worth, so I recommend we approve all three applications.”

Cllr Hywel  Lewis (Independent – Llangunllo) seconded the proposal and said that the work was “totally necessary”.

Cllr Gwilym Williams (Conservative –  Disserth and Trecoed) asked if there will be any replanting of the hedges?

Permitted Development Manager, Peter Morris, said: “The only application we have had are these. We have not seen the proposed road scheme yet.”

All three applications were passed.

The B4518 from Llanbrynmair goes south towards Staylittle and comes out eventually in Llanidloes.