Village council objects to 12-home development

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Detailed plans for a dozen new homes in Four Crosses near Llanymynech have been objected to by the community council.

Last month, Charlotte Edwards of Dennis Edwards Homes Ltd lodged a detailed planning application with Powys County Council to build 12 homes at Wychwood.

The principle of building the 12 homes was agreed back in November 2022 when an outline planning application was approved by county planners for the “Wychwood Trustees”.

Details of the appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale of the development still needed to be approved in writing by county planners before any development begins. This needs to be done inside a three-year time limit.

The proposal would see eight three-bedroom semi-detached houses, one detached three-bedroom house, and three four-bedroom detached houses built at the site.

Llandysilio Community Council had objected to the original outline planning application and have continued to object saying that re-locating a bus shelter would affect other entrances further along the B4393 and will also bring it closer to the junction with the road leading to the “Garage/Morrison’s local” shop.

The council wants to see space in the site for a “bus layby”.

Llandysilio council also point out that “insufficient” car parking spaces will be provided and said: “There should be at least one car park space per bedroom.”

They claim that any visitors would need to park on the road.

The council also says that there is no provision for “open space” or playground equipment, adding: “The council is disappointed to not see any bungalows included on this site as the village is in need of retirement/starter homes.”

As planning agents for Dennis Edwards Homes Ltd, Julian McAlster, of Design and Planning Associated Ltd (DPA), explained the proposal in a design and access statement.

Mr McAlster said that the bungalow at the site known as Wychwood would be kept while garages at the site would be demolished to allow a new access road into the site.

He said: “The site will provide 11 new marketable houses and one affordable house.

“House types selected and proposed for this site would be in keeping and appropriate with Four Crosses and its current housing stock and provide a good range of dwellings.

“The development will contribute to the supply of open market and affordable housing on a site within the development boundary.”

A decision is expected on the application by February 14.