Plans for 35 new houses in Presteigne have been submitted to Powys County Council.

The reserved matters application, lodged by Bruce Kidson of Kidson Homes Ltd, includes 11 affordable homes as part of the proposed development on land at Broadaxe Farm, just off the B4355 on the outskirts of the town. The site lies opposite the playing field for John Beddoes Secondary School.

Outline planning permission for the site was granted in June 2023, following an application originally made by farming business Sid Williams and Son in 2020.

The new application provides detailed proposals for access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale. Documents show a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, with the affordable homes comprising six two-bedroom and five three-bedroom properties.

Planning agents BBA Architects outlined the scheme in a Design and Access Statement.

BBA Architects said: “The layout of the site has been designed based on the constraints and opportunities of the site.

“Access is provided off the B4355 - Joe Deakins Road - which is one of the main arteries into the town centre.

“A new adoptable road is proposed off this road to provide a safe route into the development.

“Either side of the site access, along the main road it is proposed that an area of existing and proposed new trees and landscaping will be provided to act as a screen and landscaping buffer for the site.”

BBA Architects say provision for affordable housing is set out in a “tenure document” showing where the homes would be located on the site.

However, Powys County Council’s housing officers say the plans lack detail on the affordable homes and have requested an “Affordable Housing Scheme” to address this.

Presteigne and Norton Town Council discussed the application at a meeting last month. While not objecting to the plans, councillors said the new homes should be “highly energy efficient” and that more detail is needed on the affordable housing provision.

The town council added: “The large oak on site should have its roots protected during construction and it was felt that in order for residents to get into the town from the site, a new pedestrian crossing should be provided across Joe Deakins Road.”

Town councillors also believe the speed limit in this part of Presteigne should be reduced to 30mph so that “traffic has slowed sufficiently” before reaching the crossing.

A decision on the application is expected soon.