A new hotel, drive-thru coffee shop, petrol filling station and pub and restaurant could be built in an area of open countryside near the Newtown Bypass.

People are being urged to share their views about the proposed commercial development on land between the Llanidloes Road roundabout and Glandulas caravan park.

It will be the first major development near the £71 million Newtown Bypass since it opened in February 2019.

Shrewsbury-based developers Berrys said the proposed plans, which include a four-storey hotel and a two-storey pub and restaurant,will create "significant economic benefits" to the area including job opportunities, supporting local businesses and increasing visitor spend.

A design and access statement said the development is "aimed at travellers through mid Wales who would otherwise not stop within the local area" adding that there is "evident need" for modern roadside facilities in the Newtown area, with the closest comparable facilities being located 17 miles away at the Buttington Cross roundabout in Welshpool.

"It is evident that locating the proposed use in the centre of Newtown is neither practical or viable. The proposed use is best located on a site that is visible from the Newtown Bypass and where it can be accessed without the need to create further access points onto the by-pass, ensuring that it does not impede the free flow of traffic along that route.

"It is evident that the proposed site of the development proposal is fully justified and, given the nature and scale of the proposed use, will not give rise to any unacceptable adverse impacts upon the existing retail centre."

If the development goes ahead, more than 275 cars are expected to visit the site during the evening peak hour (5pm to 6pm) and up to 220 cars during the morning peak hour (8am to 9am), which Berrys says the road network is "more than capable of accommodating the proposed development".

Berrys added that "no unacceptable adverse environmental impacts" have been identified from the proposed development, including a pond adjacent to the development site which is "poor suitability" for Great Crested Newt.

The consultation period will end on December 24, and the comments received will, where possible, be used to inform any subsequent planning application submission. Comments need to be sent to mike.lloyd@berrys.uk.com or write to: Mike Lloyd, Berrys, Beech House, Anchorage Avenue, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6FG

Berrys said: "The planning application subject of this statement seeks to establish the principle of the proposed development on the application site and is therefore in outline, with all matters reserved for future consideration aside from access. Nonetheless, whilst a detailed scheme for the site, including layout, landscaping, detailed design and appearance has yet to be drawn up, an indicative site layout has been provided that illustrates how it is envisaged that the site will be developed."

Earlier this year, a draft application was submitted for a 40-bedroom hotel, Starbucks coffee shop and a drive-thru Greggs alongside Harry Tuffins petrol station and McDonalds restaurant at Welshpool's Buttington Cross.