Plans to replace storm damaged cladding at a college in Newtown have been approved.

Described as an "eyesore", the flytower on the NPTC Newtown College campus on Llanidloes Road has stayed unrepaired since it suffered storm damage at least five years ago.

Powys County Council planners have approved a planning application submitted by NPTC to remove the existing cladding and replace it with pale blue panels, adding it would be a "much need improvement".

County Times:

Newtown South County Councillor Les Skilton said the damage does not give a good impression to visitors to the town and the theatre which shares the same building as the college.

"About time they done it!" he said. "It looks an eye-sore".

"As chairman of Newtown Musical Theatre Company who use the theatre quite regularly it's quite a sad looking place considering it's the theatre venue for Mid Wales".

He added: "Let's hope it gets done properly and it's over and done with. And that it looks more inviting that it does now. It's got to look better than flapping rubbish in the wind!"

Mark Dacey, Principal and CEO NPTC Group of Colleges, said: "It is good news that planning permission has been granted to renovate the fly tower at Newtown College. It has been a frustrating process for all those involved and has taken longer than anticipated due to various issues including a complicated legal process.

"The College has been working with Powys County Council to resolve some of the issues, as the fly tower which is part of Theatre Hafren and based at Newtown College, was previously under the ownership of the local authority.

"The Theatre has an excellent reputation and is a big part of the community and we are pleased that the work can finally go ahead."