As reported last week, county councillors were expected to refuse a request to demolish Croesawdy, but at the eleventh hour, the recommendation to councillors has changed to recommend that demolition can proceed.

As we've previously reported, county councillors are meeting tomorrow at the Powys County Council Planning, Taxi Licensing & Rights of Way Committee to discuss a permitted development application to demolish Croesawdy, in New Road.

The application has been "called in" to be decided by the committee by Cllr Joy Jones, the County Councillor for Newtown East.

Originally, the case officer, Rhian Griffiths had recommended that the application be refused and further information is required to assess any impact on neighbouring properties and further information relating to the restoration of the site.

However, this recommendation has changed to allowing the building to be demolished under permitted development due to 'additional information submitted'. The additional information supplied relates to the dust and noise of demolition, and how the site will be backfilled with stone.

Last night, Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council met in a special meeting to discuss the proposals. They agreed to support the original recommendation that the application should be refused.

The new recommendation is:

In light of the above, Officers consider that the additional information submitted in support of the notification addresses the concerns raised under the previous report in regard to the method of demolition and the proposed restoration of the site.

RECOMMENDATION – Permitted Development

In light of the above, Officers consider that the notification has been supported by sufficient information in regard to the method of demolition and the proposed restoration of the site. Therefore, in accordance with Class A, it is not considered that the prior approval of the Local Planning Authority is required and the recommendation is therefore one of Permitted Development.

It is recommended that the determination of this notification be delegated to the Chair and Vice-Chair of this committee in consultation with the Professional Lead - Planning, to allow for the expiration of the site notice to occur.