PLANS by Powys County Council (PCC) to build 22 new homes in Llanidloes have been approved in theory, by councillors on the planning committee.

But, due to a “technical problem” with publishing the item in the agenda, the actual decision will be taken by planning officers along with planning committee chairman Cllr Karl Lewis (Conservative – Llandinam) and Cllr E Michael Jones (Independent – Old Radnor).

The problem is that the original agenda, for Thursday, December 5’s meeting, published online on Thursday, November 28, did not include the 22 homes application.

The link to take you to that application actually went to another planning application that was on the agenda.

This was rectified on Tuesday, December 3, but agendas for meetings are needed by law to be made public a minimum of three days before meetings.

Planning committee solicitor, Colin Edwards, said: “Due to a technical hitch this report hasn’t been published for the full three full days prior to a committee meeting which is normally required.

“Members will be aware that they received this report as a supplementary.

“What I’m suggesting and the decision that Holly (Hobbs – Principal Planning Office) is recommending is to delegate the decision to officers as she’s waiting for Welsh Government to come back about the trunk road (A470).

“The implications is. if you are minded to approve then that is delegated to the principal officer in consultation with the chairman or vice chairman.

“If any material considerations come in within the allotted period of publication, in effect three days, the application is referred back for further consideration.”

The site in question is the former Smithfield depot building and Livestock Market, located to the north east of Gorn Road in Llanidloes.

PCC wanted consent for 22 affordable homes which are an assortment of two to four bedroom homes built as bungalows, dormers and two storey buildings.

The application is to build the homes at the former livestock Market at Gorn Road in the town and is part of PCC’s commitment to build 250 homes over the next five years.

But while the report stated it would be for affordable homes this will not be a condition.

Instead the recommendation is stuck on the 10 per-cent that is stipulated in the Local Development Plan (LDP) for affordable homes from housing schemes in North Powys.

Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru – Glantwymyn) said: “I welcome the application as this is a perfect site in the middle  of the town.

“However, I am disappointed that while the applicant is offering 100 per-cent affordable homes, that we are not willing to take that up and are insisting on keeping to 10 per-cent.

“We are missing a trick here and if the applicant is happy, then in my opinion we should welcome it with open arms.

“I would like to see us secure it as 100 per-cent affordable homes site, otherwise I’m perfectly happy to move the recommendation.”

Cllr Hywel Lewis (Independent – Llangunllo) added: “This is an excellent scheme making use of a brownfield site.”

Ms Hobbs in response to questions by Cllr Francesca Jump (Liberal Democrat – Welshpool Gungrog) stressed that the development would be council houses for rent.

The application was passed unanimously.