THE go-ahead has been given for nearly 70 new homes to be built on a former Army camp in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The decision to grant outline planning permission for the mixed use development, that also includes employment accommodation and public open space and sports facilities, brings to an end a long running saga over the future of the Cwrt y Gollen camp, at Glangrwyney near Crickhowell.

An earlier application for 200 homes on the site, made by the same developers Crickhowell Estates, was rejected by the park committee in 2010 and by an independent inspector the following year on appeal.

Michael Rees, for the developers, told the committee the new application would bring the site back into use. He also said the Vale of Grwyney Community Council, which had objected to the application, had previously indicated support for 50 homes, with the latest application only exceeding that by 18.

Five public speakers spoke against the application while several members also expressed concerns about safety of the access to and from the site from the busy Brecon to Abergavenny A40 trunk road. The meeting was told access proposals had the support of the all the relevant highways authorities.

Opponents had earlier picketed a site visit at Cwrt y Gollen ahead of the planning meeting in Brecon.

For a full report of the meeting buy this week's Brecon & Radnor Express - on sale now