Campaigners have started a petition to save a "perfectly good" 140-year-old house in Newtown which could be demolished later this year to make way for new social housing.

More than 200 people have already signed the online petition to save Croesawdy in New Road from demolition and "to preserve our heritage for generations to come".

Applicant Mid Wales Property Ltd has placed a notice on the property to let people know of its intention to demolish the building over a 10-week period from October 10 this year.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, August 16) a group of town councillors will gather to discuss the proposal and share their views before a Powys County Council planning committee meets on Thursday (August, 18) to decide whether planning permission is needed for the controversial demolition.

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Residents have since launched a campaign to save the building which saw more than 70 people gather at a public meeting held at The Monty Club last week to raise concerns that Newtown is at risk of losing its heritage if historic buildings are demolished for redevelopment.

Resident Sue Lawson said: “Too many buildings are being taken away. They want to take a perfectly good house down. They must have consideration for people living there.”

Plaid Cymru calls for Croesawdy alternatives

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru is calling on Powys County Council to look at options to save the historic building from being demolished.

Suggestions given to the party by the public include converting the building into a youth centre, a food bank or a community hub following the closure of a similar facility in Maesyrhandir.

A Plaid Cymru representative from the Newtown branch said: “We have seen deep concerns about the future of this building in the heart of the community and therefore Powys Council should follow the lead of other authorities in assisting the development of community enterprises and initiatives.

“We now have a Lib Dem led administration – well let them prove that they listen to communities and assist in saving this historic building therefore rather than empty words.”

They added: “Powys Council could even assist the community in developing a comprehensive plan for the building, access funds and turn a negative situation into something positive for the benefit of all.”

Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council’s meeting at 6.30pm on Tuesday is available to watch live online on Microsoft Teams at https://meeting.newtown.org.uk/E&E160822 or listen on the phone by calling 01743 636611 then key in when prompted the conference ID 298 262 102#

To sign the petition, visit: www.change.org/p/save-croesawdy-save-our-heritage-in-newtown