PLANS for a new housing estate at Abermule near Newtown could now be decided by Powys County Council’s planning committee after safety concerns were raised.
Tim Edwards of Wrexham-based TRE developments has lodged an outline planning application to build 53 dwellings including 11 affordable homes at land to the “rear” of The Meadows in the village.
Powys County Councillor for Dolforwyn which includes Abermule, Cllr Gareth Pugh has exercised his right to “call in” the application in front of the planning committee.
Cllr Pugh said: “I would like to formally call in the application due to local concerns regarding highways safety and the safety of pedestrians that this development may cause.”
Network Rail has also raised a “holding objection” against the proposal which is near the railway line and a level crossing.
This is to allow Network Rail to update their risk assessment on the level crossing and assess this in relation to the proposed access to the development in more detail.
Network Rail Wales and Western town planning technician, Grace Lewis said: “Network Rail would be extremely concerned if any future development impacts on the safety and operation of the level crossing at Abermule.
“The safety of the operational railway and of those crossing it is of the highest importance to Network Rail.”
Ms Lewis said that once the information has been updated Network Rail would be in a position to provide more comment on the application.
In the documents submitted to support the new proposal by TRE Developments planning agent Dafydd Edwards of Blueprint Architectural Services says they have “benefited” by learning lessons on what went wrong with a previous application for 32 homes at the site by the company which was rejected by council planners two years ago.
Mr Edwards said: “The reasons outlined in the refusal notice for application were affordable homes, density of development and highways concerns.
“Having held detailed discussions with the local authority following the refusal notice it was determined an increase of units would be supported allowing an allocated parcel of land to be developed.
“The application site is an undeveloped grassed area, and the development will comprise of 53 units in total, this is in line with the policy in terms of density 27 plus (units) per hectare.
“The site comprises of 11 affordable units and will assist the authority in ensuring the development accords with affordable housing policy.”
Powys planners are expected to decide the application soon.
