PLANS to build a wooden chalet for holiday letting at land near Abernant Lakeside Cottage, in Llanwrtyd Wells, will be discussed on Thursday, December 5.

The proposal has been called in front of Powys County Council's planning committee by Llanwrtyd Wells county councillor, Tim Van Rees (Independent) following opposition to the plans.

Cllr Van Rees said: “The grounds for calling it in are, that I believe it to be in the flood plain and I believe it to be very close to the river Irfon so that in the course of construction and subsequently, contamination of the river is likely.”

Llanwrtyd Town Council has also raised objection to the proposal, saying: “There is a query regarding access to the site since this would be through the grounds of the Manor Adventure Centre that operates with children throughout the year.

“They use the lake for some of their activities and this proposed development could interfere with those activities.

“The vulnerability of children would be an issue.”

They also believe the lake would pose a danger to people renting the cottage.”

Statutory consultee and environment watchdog, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) also has reservations about the application:

It said: “We recommend that you should only grant planning permission if the scheme can meet the following requirements, otherwise we would object.”

The NRW requirements are:

  • More information is needed and NRW believe a 'Habitat Regulation Assessment (HRA)' is needed.
  • Flood Risk: A Flood Consequences Assessment (FCA) is needed to “demonstrate the risks and consequences o flooding can be managed.”

Applicant, Robert Grimes from Llandovery, has responded to the objections by producing a 'Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan' as well as comments made about the access.

Mr Grimes said: “The track/road used to access the site is one of the original Abernant estate roads used daily by the post man, courier drivers, the current owners of Abernant Lakeside cottage to access their home.”

Mr Grimes added that these as well as the adventure centre used the tack every day.

“The use of such track is the right given to me by the 1953 conveyance between the Gower Hotel Company and the purchaser of the land.

“It has not in the past hindered the adventure centre's activities and neither would be in future.

“With regard to the lake not being fenced off, this is indeed true.

“However the site area is fully fenced and therefore isolated from the lake making it a safe area for guests and their children alike.”

Planning officer, Rhys Evans, in his report recommends refusing the application because it is a “highly vulnerable development in a flood zone.”