THE site of a former car parts manufacturer in Presteigne is being earmarked for development, after lying derelict for nearly 15 years.
An outline planning application is due to be submitted for the former Kaye Presteigne site, transforming it into an area that would include 61 homes, as well as a healthcare facility and retail store.
Kaye Presteigne made parts for car engines, steering and braking mechanisms, before entering administration in 2010.
The foundry, which was known more fondly as Kaye Alloys or simply as ‘The Factory’, closed in April 2011, with the loss of 100 jobs; 80 per cent of the company’s workforce were thought to have lived in Presteigne.
Soon after the buildings on the site were demolished and it has lain vacant ever since.
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A pre-application consultation exercise has been carried out by Shrewsbury-based property consultants Berrys, with an outline planning application believed to be in the offing.
Presteigne and Norton Town Council posted details of the “major” plans on its Facebook page this week and said it will consider the outline application at its June meeting.
Plans have been drawn up by Berrys on behalf of the site owners, Central & Country (Presteigne) Ltd.
“The application site is a vacant, previously developed, site in the centre of Presteigne,” said Berrys, in a planning statement it has produced.
“The previous use of the site was as Kaye Presteigne’s alloy foundry. However, soon after the company entered administration (in 2010) the buildings on the site were demolished.
“The site has consisted solely of disused concrete slabs and hardstanding for over a decade.
“Whilst the site owners have sought to keep the site secure and tidy, the site is an eyesore in the centre of the historic former county town of Radnorshire, significantly detracting from Presteigne’s townscape.
“The site’s development, and resultant increase in natural surveillance in the area, will therefore help to enhance community safety in the town.”
The proposed 61 homes include 18 one-bed, 22 two-bed, 10 three-bed and two four-bed homes, plus three one-bed, five two-bed and one three-bed bungalows.
“At this stage it is anticipated that construction on the site will be undertaken in two distinct phases," the statement adds.
“The first phase will cover development on the site area comprising the commercial uses and dwellings 1-24 and 56-57 inclusive. The second phase will cover development on the remainder of the site.
“The initial application is an outline planning application, with all matters reserved aside from access in order to establish the principle of the proposed development.
“A detailed scheme for the site, including layout, landscaping, detailed design and appearance has yet to be drawn up."
Natural Resources Wales’ local flood map shows the site as now being free from flood risk.
Kaye Presteigne was formed in 2006, saving more than 130 jobs, after the former owners J L French went into administration.
There had been a foundry in Presteigne since the 1940s until its closure in 2011.
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