PLANS to hold wedding receptions in a marquee at a picturesque church near Welshpool have been backed by Powys planners.
At a meeting Powys County Council’s planning committee on Thursday, February 3, councillors will decide on plans submitted by Janet Jones of Quaint Country Weddings.
The plan would see wedding receptions hosted in spring and summer, on land that has been farmed by the family for 90 years, near the Grade II listed St Mary’s the Virgin church in Trelystan.
The application received 11 letters of support and 10 of objection, which raised concerns about traffic and litter.
The application is in front of the committee after being called in by the local councillor, Linda Corfield, who said: “Initially residents and the Forden with Leighton & Trelystan community council were tentatively supportive of this new venture, having been led to believe the application was for one marquee to hold a traditional wedding reception close to the unique Grade II listed Trelystan Church.
“However, it appears the venture is turning out to be somewhat different to that suggested in the application.”
Cllr Corfield explained that it was a “bone of contention” that what has been applied for and what is being advertised as available on the Quaint Country Wedding website are not, “exactly in tune”.
In an economic impact statement accompanying the application Quaint Country Weddings indicates it could hold 28 events from April to October.
Basing its calculations on event having an average of 96 guests, the business says every wedding reception would generate just under £57,400 for the local economy through food, marquee hire, guest expenditure, flowers, accommodation and taxis.
It suggests the proposal would also generate £21,640 in income for Trelystan Church.
In total the firm believes that £1.6 million could be brought into the local economy if the proposal is given the green light.
The council’s principal planning officer Luke Jones pointed out that a similar application from 2020 had been rejected.
Mr Jones said: “The proposed marquee has been relocated to a different location from the previous application which was refused to ensure the siting is acceptable.
“The development will support the local economy and increase the sustainability of many local companies as well as the church.
“It is worth noting that the financial information provided has already been trialled via a number of weddings, under permitted development rights.
“These events took place during 2019 and 2020.”
Mr Jones believes that the application should be approved with a number of conditions including a S106 agreement.
This would mean that only weddings at the church or at the marquee would be allowed and the number of guests would be restricted to a maximum of 150.
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