Plans for nine starter homes and flats for people looking to down- size have been approved by County Councillors for a central village site in Guilsfield, near Welshpool, Powys.
The plans by Hughes Architects on a brownfield site, a former garage in the village, were approved 13 votes for and one abstention by Powys County Council’s planning committee members.
The approval will see nine homes built on the site. Two of the homes will be affordable properties targeted at local people.
“This is great news for Guilsfield and for local people looking to get on to the housing ladder or to move to affordable homes in the village,” said Doug Hughes, Principal Architect and Managing Director at Hughes Architects, a building design and planning practice with offices in Welshpool, Newtown and Aberystwyth.
“The applicant has owned the site since 2015 and had originally considered a business on the site. But this proved unviable and affordable, good quality housing was identified as the only option.
“As with many villages, such housing is hard to come by and our design, which fits with the prominent central village location, will not only provide a housing solution, but it will also improve this important area of the village.”
Mr Hughes said to councillors: “The site has been vacant for over 5 years and is somewhat of an eyesore. This is an opportunity to do something about that. What do you do with a site like this, which is surrounded on all sides by housing?
“One of the objectors to this application has suggested a row of shops, but at a time when our major towns are struggling, any form of commercial development in our smaller villages is just not commercially viable. Housing in amongst housing in a village centre is the best outcome here.”
Mr Hughes and the architectural team at Hughes Architects worked with the County Council planning department to ensure a development suited to the village and local area was put forward.
Design work will now be completed and submitted to Powys County Council for Reserved Matters in the immediate future.
Work could start on the development next year before the properties are offered on the market for much needed housing in Guilsfield and the surrounding area.
This is the latest in a series of successful residential planning successes for residential properties by Hughes Architects in rural communities throughout Powys, Ceredigion and Shropshire.
“We will now work with the site owners on the next steps,” said Mr Hughes.
