Flood defence work looks set for approval

Plans to re-instate and repair a controversial flood defence bank to protect a historic hall alongside the River Severn near Welshpool look set to be given the go-ahead by planners.

The application by Thomas Till is the latest in a long-running saga.

He has applied for retrospective approval for work to the Trewern "argae" or flood bank and Powys County Council's planning committee has been recommended to approve the plans at a meeting next week.

The work is to protect the grade II listed Trewern Hall, farm buildings and land access, from flooding.

The issue was first raised about five years ago when fears were voiced by residents of Pool Quay and Wern, on the opposite side of the river to Trewern Hall, that work increasing the height of the embankment, carried out without planning consent, could push more flood water their way.

A report to the committee says: "In 2005 the Environment Agency objected and there was no justified reason to go against such an objection from a statutory consultee.

"Following that decision, the Environment Agency carried out works to the argae which limited the effect on flooding. These works were to breach the argae.

"However, it was not until the public inquiry whereby comprehensive evidence was submitted by both sides and considered, that the full impact of the works was considered.

"On this basis, with the acceptance that the argae may affect flooding for other properties but the protection of a grade II listed building outweighs such effect."