At the second time of asking, plans for a huge housing estate in Ystradgynlais have been approved by Powys councillors.

At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning Committee today, a proposal by Persimmon Homes West Wales to build 152 homes on land west of the former Penrhos School on Brecon Road in Ystradgynlais returned for a decision by councillors.

At a planning meeting in December, councillors deferred the application to allow both Powys and Neath Port Talbot council education authorities the opportunity to comment on the proposal and explain whether schools in the area could take more children. Concerns had also been raised about the development’s impact on the Welsh language.

The scheme follows an earlier application by Persimmon Homes for 42 homes – referred to as phase one – which received planning approval in August 2022.

Originally, the application lodged with the council in January 2023 was for 134 homes. The proposal had seemingly stalled, but in August last year fresh plans to develop the site emerged for a larger scheme.

The latest proposal is for a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom dwellings, with 18 of the units set to be one-bedroom flats.

Senior planning officer Catherine James told councillors that the 18 one-bedroom flats had been removed from the calculation of pupil numbers, as people living in these are not expected to have children.

She explained it was predicted the development would “yield” 27 pupils for both primary and secondary schools. Ysgol Maesydderwen secondary school has 199 spare places, while the four primary schools in the town have 46 spare spaces.

Welsh-language pupils would be expected to attend Ysgol Bro Dur over the Neath Port Talbot county border in Ystalyfera, which has 59 spare places.

Ms James said: “Based on the calculations there is no requirement for a financial contribution from the developer.”

There had also been concerns the development would impact the Welsh language. Ms James explained that as the site is included in the Local Development Plan and is not a “windfall site”, there was no requirement for a Welsh language plan.

However, she added: “The developer, since that committee meeting in December, has voluntarily submitted a Welsh language action plan and we’re satisfied with that.

“Our recommendation therefore remains one of consent, subject to conditions and the signing of a Section 106 agreement for a £20,000 contribution towards highways provision and public transport.”

She added that no comments had been received on the Section 106 agreement, which had been in the public domain for a couple of weeks.

Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru – Glantwymyn) said: “There’s been a comprehensive discussion about this previously.

“On the two aspects we highlighted, I see there’s been detailed analysis of the potential impact on education and likewise the action plan in relation to the Welsh language which I have seen.

“I’m content with that response and clarification and have no further issues. It will be correct to approve the proposal as presented today.”

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The committee then moved to a vote, with councillors unanimously supporting the application.