PLANS for seven affordable homes at a pub in Four Crosses have been approved.

But the decision only came on the decisive votes of Powys Council's planning committee chairman Cllr Karl Lewis.

In February last year developer Eaglecourt was given permission to build the homes at the Four Crosses Inn, with an access road used for them being maintained by a charge to the people who lived in the homes.

The plan for a management charge over the road had led councillors to criticise the scheme, suggesting it made the homes less affordable.

And their concerns were heightened by the fact that the highways department had only backed the proposal shortly before the meeting.

Glantwymyn's Plaid Cymru councillor Elwyn Vaughan said: “We already have planning for 38 affordable homes in that community, while there is  a maximum of 17 people at the top end of the list.

“Highways is not going to adopt the road and the concept of a management company for the road with affordable homes is completely inconsistent.”

However, Cllr Gareth Pugh, the Conservative member for Dolforwyn, said: “We have a site that needs developing, it’s overgrown and we have someone brave enough to take the development.

“We are the planning committee not mortgage lenders or investors, we are here to decide whether this suits seven affordable homes.”

A vote on Cllr Vaughan’s motion recommending refusing the application tied at six votes each, but was defeated on Cllr Lewis’ casting vote.

A second vote in favour of the development was then taken and also ended up tied at six votes apiece.

Again Cllr Lewis used his tie-breaking vote in favour of the development.