PLANS are in the pipeline for a new housing development on land near Maes Offa in Four Crosses.

Powys County Council's planning department has received an application seeking to build four homes on the land adjacent to Maes Offa.

The site is close to the A483, and also an area which was potentially of archaeological interest, lying close to Bronze Age burial grounds.

A statement submitted with the proposal says: "The proposed development lies within close proximity to a number of historical assets including Offa’s Dyke which is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and recorded Bronze Age burial mounds.

"Given the site’s proximity to these features, it is acknowledged that the site possesses archaeological potential.

"Consultation with Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust has already taken place and it was confirmed that trench evaluation was required to determine the extent and characteristic of archaeological potential in a given area before extensive excavation work is undertaken.

"Headland Archaeology has therefore prepared a Trial Trench Evaluation report which accompanies the submission to determine the presence or absence of archaeological deposits within the site.

"The report identifies that no archaeological features were revealed during the evaluation of seven trenches.

"Further consultation with Mark Walters of Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust has confirmed that there are no archaeological issues arising from the report and the Trust would have no additional requirements."

The site is currently vacant and access for vehicles will need to be created.

"Access is to be achieved via the site’s frontage with a private drive extending centrally to serve all four dwellings", the planning statement adds.

"A new acoustic barrier is to be provided along the site’s western boundary which runs parallel to the A483 to mitigate against the potential noise impact created by vehicles travelling along the highway network.

"In addition, units 3 and 4 have been positioned in such a manner that they shield the amenity spaces from the A road further reducing the potential noise impact of traffic."

Powys County Council planners will make a decision on the application at a future date.