PLANS to convert a former ambulance station into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) have been slammed by a town council in Powys.
In April, fresh plans for the former St John Ambulance office on Derwen Road, in Ystradgynlais were lodged with county planners by Mr J Black of Liphook in Hampshire.
He wants to turn the building into a six bed HMO.
The application has been lodged with Powys council just over six months after Dee Muchenje was awarded planning permission to turn the building into three flats.
This proposal had been approved by Powys councillors at a meeting of the Planning committee last September.
Ystradgynlais Town Council discussed the new application at a meeting earlier this month.
They said: “Ystradgynlais town council object to this as they feel it is disingenuous.
“The original plan was for three flats, and this is now for a six-bedroom HMO.
“The council feel that the plans do not correspond to what could be the planned use and the location is not appropriate as it is very close to Canolfan Day Services.”
Powys councillors for Ystardgynlais and Abercraf Huw Williams has called in the application to get it decided by councillors on the Planning committee.
Cllr Williams (Labour) said: “Having been contacted by numerous residents living in this locality I have registered a deep dissatisfaction and anger regarding the proposed application.
“I will make a formal request to speak at the Planning (committee) meeting as the local member.”
He added that at least two other locals had “indicated their desire” to speak at a Planning meeting about it.
Planning agent Jason Evans of Evans Banks Planning Limited explained that the permission awarded last autumn establishes the principle of residential use at the site and confirms that the existing scale, massing and built form are acceptable.
Mr Evans said: “The current proposal seeks to adapt this approved residential configuration to provide an HMO, utilising the same established building envelope and overall profile.
“The building’s scale, layout, and existing vertical circulation make it well suited for conversion to a residential HMO, allowing efficient internal reconfiguration without significant structural alterations.”
Mr Evans points out that the site has an “exceptional level of accessibility” that meets potential residents needs for leisure, employment, community services and public transport links.
Mr Evans believes the proposal would be: “making a positive contribution to the range and mix of housing provision within Ystradgynlais.
Mr Evans said: “The proposal represents an appropriate and sustainable form of development that aligns with all relevant national and local planning policy.”
A decision on the application is expected soon.
