A planning application that divided villagers near Brecon has been approved by members of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s planning committee.

The proposal, submitted by Keri and Julie Davies, is for the development of the “Ysgubor Newydd Centre” – an amenity building intended for guests staying at Crai Valley Eco Lodges holiday accommodation.

The application was considered at a meeting of the planning committee on Tuesday, July 15. First submitted five years ago, the plans include a building that would provide meeting and conference space for events, along with 38 car parking spaces and a private foul drainage system.

Planning officer Lisa Hughes told members that the authority had received 31 objections and nine letters of support. She recommended that powers be delegated to the director of planning, Gareth Jones, to approve the application subject to a number of conditions.

Peter Burrow, chairman of Crai Parish Hall management committee, spoke against the scheme during the meeting.

Mr Burrows said:  “The hall was built 90 years ago and is in the heart of the community.

“The developers emphasise how they have supported the hall over the years, providing bookings for large holiday groups, educational events and Farming Connect. These could be transferred to the new development, contrary to their claim that the hall will lose no bookings.

“Our survival depends on our income, hence our concern about losing any events to Ysgubor Newydd.”

Chairman of Crai community council, Cllr Graeme Robson said: “This has been the most divisive planning application in the community.”

He believed the noise coming from the building would travel down the valley and affect residents.

Cllr Robson said: “It is a lovely proposal with a nice design but in the entirely wrong place, and would further detriment the national park while offering no tangible benefits to the majority of residents or visitors.”

He stressed that the community council was against the application.

Heidi Davies, the applicant’s elder sister, said the development would allow family members to live in the area rather than be forced to move away.

Ms Davies said: “Crai Valley Eco Lodges was built in 2011 where guests come to enjoy the views, the red kites and dark skies.

“Ysgubor Newydd is the next step in securing a future for me and my brother.

“Our proposal will help us remain competitive in a growing tourism market and support the wider farming business.”

Ms Davies added: “We acknowledged the concerns about Crai Hall - we see our proposal as complimentary and not competitive.”

Planning committee chairman Steve Rayner, a Welsh Government-appointed member, said the discussion should focus on whether the conditions proposed by planning officers were “sufficient and adequate” to address the concerns raised by objectors.

Cllr Huw Williams (Powys) said that the site visit had been “informative.”

Committee member Julian Steadman, a Welsh Government appointee, said that after seeing the lay of the land, he believed the building would “fit into the landscape satisfactorily.”

Mr Steadman said: “If we were to give carte blanche to the development, it would have a negative impact on a dark skies valley.”

However, he felt the proposed conditions addressed the issue and said he could “live” with them.

Mr Steadman added: “I’m most concerned about the noise. Cars leaving the premises at 11pm is a major noise issue.”

Ms Hughes said a condition on this states that the development shall not operate outside the hours of 8am to 11pm.

“That’s the whole development, not just the building,” said Ms Hughes.

Cllr Peter Baldwin (Blaenau Gwent) proposed the committee support officer recommendations and the meeting moved to a vote which was seconded by (WG appointee) Professor Jon Hunt.

Members voted unanimously to support officer recommendations.