1,000 homes planned for Welshpool
Up to 1,000 houses could be built in Welshpool and the surrounding areas within the next 15 years, despite claims the town does not have enough space, it has emerged. Up to 1,000 houses could be built in Welshpool and the surrounding areas within the next 15 years, despite claims the town does not have enough space, it has emerged. Welshpool Town Council said government guidelines for new and affordable housing could see between 300 and 1,000 homes being built in the town. But Robert Robinson, council clerk, said the lack of space was something that would be raised at the town's Local Development Plan consultation on March 29. "In the last plan, which was undertaken 15 years ago, 300 new houses were listed for Welshpool," he said. "We've been told that 1,075 affordable homes need to be built in the Welshpool and district area, which includes Llanfair Caereinion, Forden, Guilsfield, over the next 15 years. "But 300 of them could be built in Welshpool alone. Affordable housing is normally built along with other new homes. So it will end up meaning that Welshpool will have between 300 and 1,000 that need to be built. The problem is where?"
Up to 1,000 houses could be built in Welshpool and the surrounding areas within the next 15 years, despite claims the town does not have enough space, it has emerged.
Welshpool Town Council said government guidelines for new and affordable housing could see between 300 and 1,000 homes being built in the town.
But Robert Robinson, council clerk, said the lack of space was something that would be raised at the town's Local Development Plan consultation on March 29.
"In the last plan, which was undertaken 15 years ago, 300 new houses were listed for Welshpool," he said.
"We've been told that 1,075 affordable homes need to be built in the Welshpool and district area, which includes Llanfair Caereinion, Forden, Guilsfield, over the next 15 years.
"But 300 of them could be built in Welshpool alone. Affordable housing is normally built along with other new homes. So it will end up meaning that Welshpool will have between 300 and 1,000 that need to be built. The problem is where?"
Mr Robinson added: "We can identify some sites on the centre of town, which would allow for around 100. We couldn't move out to Pool Quay or anywhere along the River Severn because of flooding issues.
"The only space we could identify is up Red Bank but the road scheme wouldn't allow for so many houses."
He urged people to come to the LDP's consultation.
"People who have complained about Tesco should have done it back in 1995 when the LDP was finalised and I wouldn't want the sa-me thing to happen again," he added. "People need to come and have their say on the future of Welshpool now, not 15 years down the line."
He said the consultation would take place on March 29 between 8am and 10pm.
Residents, landowners, developers and community councils were being asked to comment on how work should be carried out.
Powys County Council is calling for potential development sites to be identified as part of work being undertaken for the plan, which will guide the scale and location of new development across Powys.
By Anwen Evans
