No call in for controversial affordable home scheme
Elgan Hearn – Local democracy reporter
A request that Welsh Government Planning Inspectors take over the planning process of deciding a controversial housing development has failed.
At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee on Thursday, October 23, councillors unanimously voted in favour of approving plans by SJ Construction Ltd to build 30 affordable homes at land west of Oakland at Crew Green near Welshpool.
In doing this, councillors followed the advice and recommendation of Principal Planning Officer Richard Edwards.
SJ Construction is working with Barcud Housing Association on the proposals which are expected to become houses for social rent when completed.
On Friday’s each week the Welsh Government publish a list of planning applications from across the country that are “being considered” for call-in by ministers.
Decision
If a call in is approved – Planning Inspectors at PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales) take over the application process from the Local Planning Authority.
They will provide a recommendation to the relevant government minister of what decision to make.
On Friday, October 24, it was revealed on the list that a call-in request for the application had been submitted to Welsh Government ministers on Tuesday, October 21, ahead of the Planning committee meeting.
However, the latest list, which was published on Friday, October 31, reveals that the Welsh Government are not going to pick it up.
This is because Powys council had already issued the letter confirming planning approval to the applicants on October 23 – the same day as the decision was taken.
The Welsh Government said: “Application determined by LPA (Local Planning Authority) unable to consider call in.”
At the meeting arguments against the scheme were put forward by members of Bausley and Criggion community council – which covers Crew Green.
The crux of the arguments surrounding the development were down to whether Crew Green should be classified as a large or small village and is able to absorb a development of 30 affordable homes.
Evidence
Bauseley and Criggion community councillor Caroline Travis said that: “compelling evidence: had been submitted to show Crew Green is a small village with no amenities.”
This had been agreed by Powys council and means that in the replacement LDP that is being formulated Crew Green is expected be classed as a smaller village.
However, Mr Edwards stressed that the application had to be decided in the context that Crew Green is a large village under the current LDP (2011-2026) and that the replacement LDP is “not adopted policy.”
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Whilst the build 30 affordable homes is welcome it should be noted that unlike council housing provided directly by a Welsh local authority who apply qualifying conditions such as local connection this does not apply to Housing Associations. Wales is a dumping ground for problem families from across the border with financial incentives provided to house them. How much this wo;; benefit the local community will depend on what policies Barcud Housing Association has on operating tenancy or properties for sale.
I’m not sure if it applies to ‘every’ housing association… but there are a fair few it does apply to. Most housing associations require their tenants to apply via a council managed process. The housing association in my area does this and eligibility is done only via the council, so local connection is naturally something that’s considered. Barcud Housing Association also requires that applicants apply through their local council and therefore has a local connection requirement. It appears for example that all of Ceredigion’s housing stock is owned and managed by Barcud with the council effectively operating as a lettings… Read more »