Plans have been submitted to Powys County Council for the creation of a mini industrial estate aimed at supporting small business growth in the south-west corner of the county.

The application, lodged by Mr and Mrs Evans, proposes the development of 13 commercial storage and light industrial yard compounds on land off the former Haul Road, west of Brynygroes in Ystradgynlais.

The scheme includes the installation of security fencing and access gates for each individual unit.

The site lies adjacent to a large housing development of 110 homes currently under construction at Brynygroes.

Planning agent Richard Banks of Evans Banks Planning Limited outlined the proposal in a detailed planning statement submitted alongside the application.

Mr Banks said: “The site is capable of delivering 13 small / modest commercial plots suitable for low-level starter and small businesses in search of a small compound to store plant and machinery or to provide storage and distribution.

“The proposals would be seen as utilising the existing haul road for all access in very much the same manner as the former opencast site would have regularly required HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicles) access to and from that development.

“Multiple daily lorry movements to the opencast site were commonplace.”

Mr Banks explains that the applicants are aware of a strong local demand for this type of commercial and industrial unit in the area.

He said: “The applicants have experienced such small business demand for modest storage and light industrial space at their facility at Woodlands Business Park at Ystradgynlais.

“A total of 210 storage containers have been placed on plots three and six at the business park, and the take-up and demand for that new storage facility has been overwhelming.”

“The applicants are of the firm opinion that a uniformly laid out series of small commercial compounds at the Haul Road site would provide for small business to have a modest base at Ystradgynlais to store vehicles, plant or other commercial equipment,” he said.

Mr Banks adds that the applicants held discussions with Powys County Council planners last year, during which the planners expressed that they “broadly support” the principle of establishing this type of development in the area.

Mr Banks said: “The development of the site will ensure a deliverable source of future employment land for the Ystradgynlais growth area in which it lies, which has seen an under supply of commercial opportunities prior to and since the adoption of the current LDP (Local Development Plan).

“The development of the site will help to redress this imbalance.”

A decision on the planning application is anticipated by July 31.