Flooding fears behind objections to Wern holiday park

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Objections have been lodged against plans for a holiday park at the Wern, between Arddleen and Guilsfield, due to fears it could cause flooding issues.

The proposal was submitted to Powys County Council in March last year by Mr and Mrs Lewis who initially wanted to build eight holiday lodges, a reception and office building, a toilet and shower block, as well as installing a septic tank and access track at a field to the east of Burgedin Hall.

The proposal was tweaked in October and brought down to six lodges, with each one measuring 12 metres by six metres with a veranda.

One objector said: “This whole valley has been vulnerable to flooding; this threat has increased in recent years not only due to climate change but also by alterations to upstream areas.

“The alterations to the banks of Guilsfield Brook has resulted in faster run-off, more frequent and more forceful downstream flooding on the north side of the valley.

“It is necessary to retain as much agricultural land as possible for water absorption and thereby slowing the flow.”

They also claim that the junction to be used onto the B4392 is “dangerous” and that the roads would not be able to “cope” with additional traffic from holidaymakers.

But planning agent, Gerallt Davies of Roger Parry and Partners, explained the proposal in a planning statement, which states: “The applicant proposes development as a form of diversification, which will in turn provide the applicant with an additional income stream, support the local tourism of the area, and indirectly support local businesses and sites where visitors will visit.

“The site is small scale, with there being a maximum of six holiday lets, all of which require no foundations and can be moved at any time leaving no lasting effects on the environment.”

He added that the layout had been proposed so that the site would “fit into the surroundings” and be “unobtrusive”.

While the field is officially within the boundary of Guilsfield Community Council and lies roughly halfway between the villages – the initial concerns came from Arddleen.

Arddleen Community Council and local county councillor Lucy Roberts both highlighted that the proposal would have “a significant impact on existing problems” with more flooding of Guilsfield Brook affecting people living in or just outside the village.

Guilsfield Community Council have flip-flopped on the scheme. When the proposal was first discussed last May, they supported the application but, in June, the council “reviewed” the plans and councillors changed their minds to object.

In December, Guilsfield councillors looked at the amended plans and said that they “continue not to support this application due to increase of flooding and infrastructure”.

The final decision will be made by Powys County Council; at a future date.