PLANS by a cancer support charity to build three family homes in Llandrindod Wells will be decided by councillors.
The proposal by the Bracken Trust to build three houses at Cefnllys Lane near to its cancer support centre in the town will be before councillors at a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee on Thursday, June 11.
They will be two three-bedroom houses and one four-bedroom house.
The report notes that nine objections have been raised against the proposal which has been called in to committee by the local county councillor due to a “lack of information” about it.
Cllr Pete Roberts (Liberal Democrat – Llandrindod South) said: “Whilst I am supportive in principle of the needs of the applicant to maximise the potential of the site for the charity, I would at this point seek to formally call the application in for committee to decide.
“This is in no small part due to lack of information provided by the professionals supporting the applicant.”
Cllr Roberts brings up a number of issues that he believes need to be addressed.
These problems are potential over-development of the site, size of the houses, biodiversity, trees and drainage.
Cllr Roberts explained that “backfill developments” like this appear at “various places along Cefnllys lane but this is a:“significantly higher density of housing compared to those.”
Cllr Roberts said: “The proposals look to develop two storey executive housing with three or four bedrooms this will then require nine parking spaces further constraining the site and leading to drainage issues.
“The site itself is at the top of the slope and will have the potential to significantly overlook the rest of the site and houses on Hillside Road.”
He also points out that the entrance to Cefnllys Lane “potentially creates a partial blind spot” for drivers and questions whether this can be addressed by the planned junction.
This is because the view approaching the junction from the properties may be “constrained” by Oak trees and land that rises above the road.
Senior Planning officer Rhian Griffiths said in her report that while the site is not allocated for housing it is “suitable for this purpose” as the surrounding area is “predominantly residential” and within the boundary of Llandrindod Wells.
This means that it complies with the principle of development.
Ms Griffiths said “It is noted that the ward councillor and members of the public have raised concerns with the location of the proposed access.
“The highways authority have responded clarifying that while the local topography and rising boundary bank present challenges, the transition to a 20mph speed limit allows for achievable visibility sightlines.
A condition to set the “translocated hedgerow” back a metre will also help keep the junction splay “clear of obstructions.”
Ms Griffiths added: “In light of the assessment, it is recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and the completion of a section 106 legal agreement to secure the off-site provision of compensatory planting.”
The Bracken Trust was set up in November 1995 to meet the need for a cancer support centre in Llandrindod Wells.
