PLANS have been submitted to build 35 houses in Presteigne.

An outline planning application has been submitted to Powys County Council by farmers Sid Williams and son to develop land at Broadaxe Farm on the town’s outskirts.

The proposal is for a mix of detached, semi-detached and terrace houses, of which 11 of the 35 would be classed as "affordable".

More details would be submitted in a more detailed proposal, if this application which seeks the principle of development is approved.

In July 2019,  a pre-application consultation saw the application receive support, but with concerns for the size  of the development and the pressure it could place on facilities in the town.

Powys's independent county councillor for Presteigne Beverley Baynham said that her preference would be to see a smaller development on the site.

She suggested it  should be under “30 houses.”

Presteigne and Norton Town Council discussed the proposal recently at its February meeting.

Town clerk Tracey Price said: “The council was pleased to see the number of affordable dwellings included in the proposal.

“The council appreciates that this number of dwellings will increase the pressure on the town facilities and would ask that the consideration of some form of planning gain.”

Mrs Price added that  town council had no objection to the proposal but suggested there should be either a “green space” provided at the site or a payment towards other play areas in the town.

Agent, Geraint Jones, of McCartneys Planning explained the plans in the design and access statement:  “As the application seeks only ‘outline planning approval’, full design details regarding the development  details will be determined at a reserved matters stage.

“The site is capable of accommodating the number of dwellings proposed, together with the associated car parking and landscaping.

“The relevant policies at national and local level have been reviewed and are supportive of the proposal for outline application for residential development

“The proposal is an allocated site within the LDP (Local Development Plan) and has correctly followed the process of a pre-application consultation and pre-planning advice.

“We trust that officers are able to support this application.”