FOR the second time in three months, changes proposed to a historic planning permission to build a housing estate in a village near Llandrindod Wells have been refused by Powys planners.

In April MR Development lodged non-material amendment (NMA) planning application with Powys County Council.

This was so that they could make changes to planning permission that’s nearly 20 years old for 16 detached houses and the demolition of a property known as “The Glen” on land next to Oaktree View in Crossgates.

This was was rejected by Powys planners.

Within days a fresh application was lodged with the council by the firm

Planning agent Alan Southerby said: “The proposed changes have been modified and reduced in extent in the light of the council’s decision to refuse a previous NMA application for the site.

“The owner and applicant now wish to reconfigure the approved layout in order to make improvements to the scheme and help secure its deliverability.

“Overall, the scheme remains essentially unchanged, save for minor amendments to the layout to provide a better setting and positioning of plots 11 to 16 inclusive.

“These changes will provide for improved spacing for the dwellings in this part of the site.”

Senior planning officer Rhian Griffiths explained that the concerns are that the layout changes will open up a new access route to the development from the A44 highway near the zebra crossing and roundabout with the A483.

Ms Griffiths said: “In terms of highways impacts it is considered that this would cause a different impact to that caused by the original development.”

Ms Griffiths continued: “The original development was permitted around 18 and a half years ago and was considered against different planning policy at that time.

“Whilst planning policy has since altered, weight is given to the approved, extant permission which this application relates to.

“Notwithstanding this, it is considered that the proposed alterations have the potential to conflict with Local Development Plan and TAN (Technical Advice Note) 18.”

Planning Policy Wales TAN 18 covers transport and how developments need to integrate thinking about things such as parking standards, street design, walking and cycling routes.

Ms Griffiths explains that new developments at the site need to be judged against current planning policies and she refused the application.