DOES Four Crosses have the sewage capacity to deal with more homes?

Plans to build 35 affordable homes at Gornal Farm on the outskirts of Four Crosses have been submitted to Powys County Council.

But at a pre-application consultation, nearly two years ago the application failed to gather much support, with Llandysilio Community Council pointing out the sewage system in the village is at full capacity.

Developers P and S Davies want to build a mix of four one bedroom bungalows, five two bedroom bungalows,  12 two bedroom houses, nine three bed houses and five four bedroom houses.

But the developers say that if the outline plan is approved they are open to discussion on the detailed plan.

During the pre-application consultation which ran through August 2017, Llandysilio Community Council said: “It was noted that this development is outside the village boundary and there are concerns about its proximity to the Lloyd Fraser site (creamery) which employs many local people and operates 24 hours a day.!

“There is also concern that the infrastructure of the village cannot cope with the extra development which is being proposed.

“49 dwellings have already been granted adjacent to the village boundary with another 80 at the pre-application stage.

“We already have confirmation from Severn Trent that the sewage works is near to capacity and an extra digester would need to be built for any large developments.”

Other question marks over the development include its closeness to Offa’s Dyke.

Agent, Tudor Watkins of Roger Parry and Partners, said: “The proposed development site is a greenfield site and is located on land adjoining the development boundary, Gornal Farm is south of Four Crosses.

“The development will make a sustainable contribution to the choice of housing available within the village of Four Crosses through applying for an affordable dwelling exemption site.

“The development will include associated car spaces, garages and amenity areas including public areas and inclusion of public footpaths,

“Although the site is located outside of the LDP (Local Development Plan) area, the plan does state that there may be opportunities for affordable housing by settlement boundaries .

“The site layout is indicative and has been designed to accommodate up to 35 dwellings, as the definitive layout of the development will be submitted as a reserved matters application , if the outline application is successful.”

Mr Watkins claims that the scheme would “boost the local economy”.

And “provide more children” for the village primary school and will ensure that it “remains necessary and open”.

The outline application is similar to one for a mix of 24 two and three bedroom homes for the village passed at a planning committee on May 23.

Councillors at the meeting pointed out that the need in Four Crosses and down the Severn Valley to Welshpool is for one bedroom flats.

Some members wanted to refuse the application until it was changed to one bedroom flats.

But planning officers believe that they can discuss the housing need with developers when detailed plans are drawn up.