AN affordable housing company has applied for outline planning permission for 19 flats and houses in Hay-on-Wye.

Wales and West Housing submitted the application this week for what is expected to be a mixture of one, two and three bed housing, to be built on the former community centre site.

Plans are still being considered however the social housing provider could say in a statement that it is “very pleased” to be considering the development of the brown field site in Oxford Road.

It added: “In order to establish the principle of residential use, Wales and West Housing has this week submitted an outline planning application for 19 houses and flats on the Oxford Road site.

“At this stage only an indicative site layout has been provided and a more detailed scheme with information about the size of the homes, gardens and appearance will be worked up later. It is likely that the scheme will comprise of a mixture of one, two and three bed units to meet the housing needs of the town.”

The Association’s deputy chief executive, Shane Hembrow, added: “We know there is considerable demand for housing in the area and building more homes is a key priority for us. We are committed to delivering quality affordable homes and this development will help to make a real difference.”

Mayor of Hay, Robert Golesworthy and councillor for Hay, Gareth Ratcliffe, were pleased talks had moved forward.

Mr Golesworthy said after hearing that Wales and West had signed an ‘option to purchase’ that the Association’s involvement was supported by the Town Council.

Cllr Ratcliffe added: “It’s a prime location. Hay needs affordable housing which is much needed for local people. I welcome early discussion with Wales and West and the Town Council to make sure the people of Hay benefit from this kind of development.”

Discussions over the development of the site have been welcomed by the town’s Dawn Lewis who has opposed the proposed building of 80 homes on a greenfield site opposite her home at The Meadows, which is prone to flooding.

“The community centre site is a brown field site that doesn’t flood and people don’t necessarily need to have a car to live there. I’m very keen for that to go ahead. That would solve the problem.

“For me it’s all to do with building on brownfield sites rather than green field. If you can address the needs of the town in one go then that’s the way we should be going,” she said.

Flood easement at the site was due to be discussed at a special meeting of Hay Town Council on Tuesday evening this week.

Easement which could see a pipe leading from a suggested 1,200 cubic metre water detention pond under the railway line near the site to take excess flood water, but permission to tunnel through the railway line would need to be granted by Hay Town Council.

However the Lead Local Flooding Authority has said the proposed drainage pond and related drainage would probably be “compromised” during floods and recommends the application is refused or withdrawn until the flooding issue is resolved.

The flood free community centre site was flagged up to Wales and West Housing by Hay’s Affordable Housing Group some time ago.

The group’s Tim Organ, an architect based in Llanigon, said: “I’m sure the town generally will be delighted the site will be secured for that use.”

He said there was a “desperate” need for affordable housing in Hay and had even drafted a scheme for the site himself

“Wales and West from the outset were very keen to support this and it was their idea that at the Oxford Road end, opposite the electrical shop, that there would be the opportunity for the community to build its own community centre because there’s a desperate need in Hay,” said Tim, adding, “what a Christmas present.”