Plans to renovate a famous Machynlleth building that stands on the site of the Owain Glyndwr's parliament has hit a roadblock after an application for listed building consent was refused by Powys County Council.

An application asking for permission to carry out improvements to the Owain Glyndwr Centre in Maengwyn Street were refused on Tuesday, August 27.

The application sought listed building consent for internal and external alterations to the building.

These would include installing a disabled lift to serve first floor, the provision of a disabled toilet, repairs and upgrade of internal fabric, energy efficiency improvements including secondary glazing works to windows, solar panel array to east roof elevation and air source heat pumps and heating system with acoustic screen.

Despite receiving support from Machynlleth Town Council and the ward councillor, Powys County Council’s Built Heritage Officer raised issues with the application.

MORE NEWS:

The officer said: “I would consider that the application fails to properly discuss or justify the proposals within it. Several of the proposals are unacceptable in principle, and this was pointed out in the previous response.

“As I understood it, a pre-app was going to be taken out. An application of this scope on a building of this significance requires robust justification and would ideally have had discussion with the LPA, but also Cadw, prior to its submission.

“I would encourage the applicants to withdraw the application, which should allow these discussion to take place.

While an application was re-submitted at the recommendation of the Built Heritage Officer, they added: “Given the significance of the building and its confines, and the scope of the project, it was understood a pre-app would be made. This would also have allowed the Cadw Inspector to visit and discuss proposals.

“As a resubmission is made these conversations cannot be had as the Cadw Inspector cannot comment on live applications. Similarly, as no pre-app fee has been paid for, the Local Planning Authority is not in a position to help with the scheme and must judge it on its merits as submitted.”

Get in touch

Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@countytimes.co.uk, or fill in the form on this section of our website.

In the conclusion of their report, Powys County Council said: “Insufficient information has been provided with this application to fully assess the extent and impact of the works proposed to the listed building.

“Also, in terms of detail about the potential to harm bats, it is considered that there is insufficient evidence to rule out any harm the proposed development could have upon a European Protected Species.

“In addition, a Green Infrastructure Statement has not been forthcoming, despite being a requirement. The decision is therefore one of refusal.”