19th Century cottage will be demolished

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Powys Councillors have approved a planning application to demolish a 19th century cottage near Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain and replace it with a new four-bedroom property, ignoring recommendations from their own officer.

The application by Charles and Kate Oakley for Llwyn du, which is just off the A495 main road to the south of the village, was in front of councillors at a meeting of the council’s Planning Committee.

Planning Officer, Richard Edwards, advised councillors to refuse the application, and his recommendation was largely based on the report of the built heritage officer Dr Sam Johnson who said the property is “an important and rare survivor of its type, a small dwelling for an agricultural worker, of local design and materials”.

He believed the cottage to be “sound, weather-tight and habitable with minor defects”, adding that “the scheme would introduce a property of an over-large nature and alien design and materials to the plot”.

“The scheme is contrary to policy; a strong objection is made to the proposal,” was the officer’s recommendation.

As Mrs Oakley is the daughter of Powys County Councillor for Llansantffraid, Cllr GwynforThomas (Conservative), Cllr Aled Davies took his place to speak in favour of the application as the local member.

Cllr Davies (Conservative) said: “The applicants are born and raised in Llansantffraid, they are not developers building executive homes, they are local people deeply rooted in this land and its community.

“When I visited the site, it is immediately apparent that the building is not fit for a young family, it’s tiny with one bedroom and a box room upstairs.

“If this application is refused, it will leave the site in continuing decline that serves no practical purpose. It’s not listed as it’s not listable, it has been significantly altered over time.”

Mrs Oakley told councillors that only “52%” of the building structure was original.

She added that several detailed structure reports had been submitted with the application and “all conclude” that bringing the cottage up to modern standards is not economically viable.

Mrs Oakley added: “We have engaged fully with the process and provided professional evidence throughout we never received any constructive feedback, only suggestions to withdraw.”

Cllr Corrinna Kenyon-Wade (Liberal Democrat) said she would support the officer’s recommendation, saying: “I live in a similar house, and it’s taken me and my husband a decade to do up. This house can find a future; it’s part of the landscape.”

Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru) said that the purpose for buildings change and evolve over time. He said that similar proposals in other parts of Powys had been approved.

“It’s not the first time by a long shot,” said Cllr Vaughan.

Cllr Vaughan added that he would recommend a vote to approve the plans.

Cllr Angela Davies (Liberal Democrat) said: “I wonder if the heritage officer has got a slightly romanticised idea of living in these old-fashioned buildings?”

Councillors then went on to a vote with 11 agreeing to approve the application and two voting against.

PICTURES: Ther 19th Century cottage (top) will be repleced by the new-look house (bottom)