Quarry development faces early opposition

Plans to transform a derelict garage site in Welshpool into a plush new apartment block have faced some stiff initial concerns from residents, businesses and town councillors.

Wyro Developments Ltd have shared their initial plans for the former Quarry Service Station on Brook Street, which closed in 2022, for 10 apartments set back off the road.

They received a frosty reception at Wednesday night’s Welshpool Town Council Planning Committee meeting where a local resident spoke to express his concerns while local businessman, Peter Hughes, said they even incorporated land that was owned by him without his permission. Both felt the area should remain for business use and not residential.

And a number of concerns were shared by Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen, including disruption to Welshpool’s famous Peregrine Falcons who reside in the quarry.

“This area is unsightly and the prospects of finding another commercial use for that land are slim,” conceded Cllr Owen. “The designs they have submitted aren’t unattractive and there are examples of what they have built in Shrewsbury and Oswestry that look perfectly fine.

“But I have quite a few reservations. They are trying to cram on too many there. What we have here are six two-bedroom apartments, four one-bedroom apartments. We should be encouraging a more mixed development with more substantial apartments which would be attractive to families.

“At the moment these are aimed at single people, young people, students, and maybe newly married couples. Every new development in the town aims at the same people and I am not sure there is the demand for it. We are not a student town, we don’t have a university so why are we trying to cram more and more of these units into every bit of available land that the town has. I don’t like it. I would favour it if it was a little bit more ambitious rather than just trying to turn a profit.”

He then shared his environmental concerns about the former petrol tanks and how they may be impacting the Lledan Brook close by if removed, as well as the impact on the quarry which is “a haven for a lot of wildlife including the falcons”.

He also wanted more information on the business plan for the apartments on how they will be sold or rented once completed.

Cllr Sally Fitzgerald added: “I just don’t like it. It looks like an old people’s home and not a residential property. I think it looks out of place. We need to think of the residents and businesses there too.”

The committee agreed on a cautious approach to the development with their concerns to be submitted to Powys County Council for consideration in a final draft when they will make their decision whether to back it.

Welshpool Town Council is only a consultee in the planning process, with the final decision made by Powys County Council.