Changes proposed to a historic planning permission to build a housing estate village near Llandrindod Wells have been refused by Powys planners.

Earlier this month MR Development lodged a non-material amendment planning application with Powys County Council to make changes to planning permission that’s nearly 20 years old.

Planning agent Alan Southerby explained that the proposal would allow “minor changes and improvements” to planning permission for 16 detached houses and the demolition of a property known as “The Glen” on land next to Oaktree View in Crossgates.

Mr Southerby said: “The current owners and applicants now wish to reconfigure the approved layout in order to make improvements to the scheme and help secure its deliverability.

“The proposed NMA scheme shows a total of 15 predominantly detached dwellings, also in a cul-de-sac arrangement, but with retention of The Glen instead of its demolition and replacement, as it has since been improved and invested in.

“Changes are sought to the layout and design, including a different mix of dwelling types, numbers of bedrooms and storey heights, etc., which we consider would result in no material differences between the approved and proposed schemes in terms of density, overall scale parameters, biodiversity and general concepts, including the need to secure access to serve the smaller site for three dwellings to the north.

“The application also includes a new spur to serve the land to the north, which will of course be the subject of a future planning application and should not affect the outcome of this NMA application.

Mr Southerby said: “In itself, the roadway changes are not considered to represent any material difference.”

Senior planning officer Rhian Griffiths said: “Permission was originally granted in November 2007 for the demolition of one prefabricated bungalow and erection of sixteen new dwellings.

“This permission has previously been confirmed to have been implemented and is now considered to be extant.

“This application seeks to amend the proposal, to retain the existing dwelling and erect 15 dwellings across a smaller portion of the site, thus contradicting the original description of development, and proposing a different development.

“The changes proposed are considered to be materially different to the original scheme, and would cause different impacts, such as to density and placemaking.”

She also noted that not enough parking spaces had been provided for plot four.

Ms Griffiths continued: “The original development was permitted circa 18 and a half years ago and was considered against different planning policy that was adopted at that time.

“Should a new application be received relating to a new development at the site, it would be considered against updated policy at that time.

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“The amendments proposed are considered to be material to the development, and this application is therefore refused.”