Welshpool Town Council is to look into buying the town’s Youth Centre after developers expressed an interest in converting the site into homes.

After a planning application was submitted to convert Welshpool’s Youth Centre on Howell Drive to dwellings, Welshpool Town Council has voted to move forwards on making a bid for the property, providing the full cost can be covered by grants.

In November an application was submitted to Powys County Council, the second conversion proposal regarding the building in 2023 as an application to convert the facility for the storage and sale of car parts was submitted and withdrawn following public backlash.

Commenting on the proposal, Powys County Council’s planners said: “The proposal involves the loss of two community facilities – a youth centre and a nursery.

“The proposal does not provide justification for the loss of these community facilities as required.

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“Further details are required to demonstrate that appropriate alternative provision is to be made available or the potential for continued use is no longer viable, and alternative solutions to support the long term use of the facility for the community have been adequately explored.”

At a Welshpool Town Council meeting on Thursday, November 30, the council voted to move forward in considering a move to buy the property from Powys County Council.

It was agreed on that report on the viability of Welshpool Town Council making a bid for the building will be compiled and presented to the town council at a future meeting.

The building was declared surplus to requirements by the Youth Service and has been listed for sale since 2020.

However, Welshpool Youth Club has continued to use the building and planned to do so until a sale is agreed upon and is completed.