A decision whether the Welsh Government will call in plans to build a Crematorium will have to wait until after the Senedd Election
An application to build a Crematorium near Caersws will be in limbo until after the next Welsh Government is formed.
Powys Crematorium Limited intends building an all-new crematorium at a 13.66 hectare site north of the B4568 road at Ael Y Bryn between Caersws and Aberhafesp.
The plans include providing a green burial site as well as create a garden of remembrance, new and improved access arrangements, and car parking area.
The nearest crematoria are at Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury, which are both around 40 miles from the site.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government confirmed that planning inspectors were mulling over whether to “call in” the application.
If a minister does “call in” the application – the decision will be taken by Welsh Government planning inspectors rather than Powys County Council planners.
Powys County Councillor for Dolforwyn, Cllr Gareth Pugh is registered as the only company director for Powys Crematorium Limited on the Companies House website.
Cllr Pugh is a member of the county council’s Planning committee and a spokesman has said that he will be taking “no part” or commenting on the process.
Caersws county councillor, Les George, has already “called in” the application which means it should be decided by councillors on the planning committee.
A Welsh Government spokesperson, said: ”A decision on whether to call in the application is still being considered.”
“However it will now be a decision for the next government.”
A spokesman for Powys Crematorium, said: “The matter will take its course.”
Last month the applicants were criticised by environment campaigners Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales for “netting” hedges at the entrance of the field which is earmarked for the site.
As well as preventing animals nesting, CPRW felt that the applicants were “jumping the gun” by doing this before a decision on the application has been made.
