Councillors will discuss a 29 home housing project. Approval is recommended amid local flooding concerns.
Towyn Marine Properties Ltd filed the application, representing landowners Alwyn and Geraint Jarman. The company submitted it to Powys County Council in November 2023. Councillors will discuss it at a February 19 meeting.
The plan includes 29 homes at Pen-y-Borfa, including two four-bedroom houses and eleven houses with three bedrooms. Ten semi-detached homes will have three bedrooms, and six terraced houses will have three bedrooms. Three homes will be “affordable”.
Councillor Les George requested the discussion because the community council and villagers opposed the project, asking him to intervene. George is worried about flooding and fears the sewage system can’t handle it.
Caersws Community Council has concerns, questioning the sewerage capacity and doubting the parking is sufficient. They worry about increased flooding, and residents fear faster water runoff, which could worsen flooding in Manthrig Brook.
A previous plan existed for 43 properties, including sheltered housing, and planners approved it back in 2020. In 2023, developers wanted to remove the housing, but the council refused this change and advised a new application.
Etchell’s Architecture addressed flood risks by reducing the development area to 1.05 hectares. This measure aims to prevent flooding, protecting both new houses and neighbors.
The Welsh Government issued a holding direction, indicating they might take over the application. However, Powys planners can still review and reject it now.
Lorraine Jenkin, a planning officer, notes the site is designated for housing, and a previous plan received consent. She says the homes are not in a flood zone and recommends conditional consent.
Jenkin requests delegated power, allowing for tweaking permissions depending on the Welsh Government’s decision about taking the role over.