03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

PLANS to provide tourist accommodation near Llanbrynmair, have been refused by Powys planners due to flooding issues.
The application for three glamping pods was lodged by Ryan Edge with Powys County Council in August 2020.
He had submitted an earlier application for four pods in January 2020, which were later withdrawn.
While the actual development would not be in a flood zone, the road that provides access to and from the site is in a C2 flood zone and concerns were raised if it was flooded when the site needed to be evacuated.
Environment consultant, Anthony Jones argued that the applicant could not provide details on water levels and speed of river flow as Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had “not modelled data for this.”
He also said that due to the “very low risk” of the site actually flooding guests would actually be safer staying there.
Mr Jones said: “We would also note that there are multiple areas of main roads (A470) identified as being in flood zone C2 between the site and the nearest major towns, Machynlleth and Newtown where emergency services would be based.
“Refusing development on the basis of access roads may be susceptible to flooding, therefore restricting emergency services, would nullify development throughout most of rural Mid Wales.”
However, the Flood Evacuation Plan (FEP) acknowledges that the site would become cut off from main roads by flooding.
It is also suggested in the FEP that a “welcome pack” should be available to all site users which will include a copy of the plans to allow guests to understand what they should do in an emergency.

Planning officer Luke Jones said: “Given that the Flood Evacuation Plan submitted notes the safest evacuation route in the event of flood is back through the C2 flood zone it is not considered the escape route proposed to serve this site is operational under all conditions.
“It is also noted that the site is not served by an alternative access and egress which can be used in the event of a flood and therefore the recommendation is one of refusal.”
The application also included installation of sewage treatment plant, new vehicular access, parking area and associated works.

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