80 join fight against log cabins in woods
Around 80 people have objected to plans to build two holiday log cabins in "ancient" woodland.
An application has been submitted to Powys County Council by Peter Bartley and Sophia Perkins, to build the cabins in Llidiart Wood, Moelgarth, near Welshpool.
The application was validated in October, and since then a raft of objections have been submitted to the local authority.
Residents and tourists to the area have cited a number of reasons they want the application to be rejected.
Jonathan Weldon, of Kent, said he travels 260 miles to Powys with his family, and has urged planners to reject the application, which he believes will harm the 'undisturbed ancient forest'.
He said: "As a life long visitor to this area of Powys, although not as much as I would like, I come to Powys for the undisturbed and settled nature of the countryside.
"An application of this nature downgrades this very pristine area within the environment."
Mr Weldon believes the application has failed to demonstrate the detrimental effect the development will have on the area.
Concerns
Other residents have raised concerns over issues with access to the development, the size of the cabins, waste management and the harm caused to the soil.
Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust has also thrown weight behind the objections, stating the council's unitary development plan says proposals should not result in significant damage to ancient and semi-natural woodlands.
A letter from conservation officer Tammy Stretton says: "Llidiart Wood is an ancient woodland, supporting a range of priority species, a site supporting high biodiversity.
"Should the application be given approval, it would be contrary to the Powys UDP Policy. Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust therefore objects to this proposal."
Despite the raft of public objections, Guilsfield Community Council has supported the application.
In a meeting in October, councillors stated they would support the application on the basis of it being environmentally friendly and having no detrimental impact on the surrounding environment.
The council also stated improvements need to be made on Laundry Lane to access the site.
The application is due to go before a planning committee but a date is yet to be set.
