THE PRINCIPLE of building a rural enterprise dwelling in a field near Tregynon has been agreed by councillors, despite county planners recommending refusal.
At the third time of asking, a planning application by David and Carys Wierzbinski to build a home at Argae Fields between New Mills and Tregynon has been given the thumbs up.
The application was discussed by councillors at a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee on Thursday, January 30.
The field is used for farming sheep and cattle – while the couple live in Tregynon with their three children.
Senior planning officer, Kate Bowen advised councillors that they should refuse the application as it did not meet all the tests that demonstrate the need to have a house there.
Mrs Bowen said: “The seasonal lambing and cow numbers at Argae Fields are not considered to justify a supervising dwelling onsite.”
Local county councillor Conservative John Yeomans spoke at the meeting to support the family.
Cllr Yeomans revealed the applicants are set to embark on a new venture by rearing Wagyu calves there.
Wagyu beef that originally comes from Japan is amongst the most expensive meats in the world.
Cllr Yeomans said: “Anyone who has reared calves knows how essential it is to be on site to optimise animal welfare and performance, particularly with baby calves.”
Planning agent Ian Price told the committee that the farming enterprise has “grown steadily” over the last 11 years.
Mr Price said: “The applicants have shown considerable resolve and ambition in an effort to build a family home on their established holding.
“Their endeavours to seek planning permission have been sadly thwarted by the rigid requirement of out of date Welsh Government policies under TAN 6 (Technical Advice Note).
“The application has been refused twice before on viability grounds; the officer has concluded that the financial test has been met however the officer’s emphasis has changed which questions the functional need for the dwelling.”
Liberal Democrat Cllr Angela Davies believed that the couple had received “poor advice” from their planning agent and could have had permission for a temporary dwelling at the site several years ago.

Cllr Davies said: “There are exemptions for this type of enterprise, however the functional need has not been proven, the business viability has been met but on a different business as we didn’t know of the (Wagyu) cattle rearing.
“The first application was in 2020, why didn’t they apply for a temporary dwelling then?
“They could have proved their viability in three years and now have a permanent dwelling to live in.”
Plaid Cymru’s Cllr Elwyn Vaughan said: “We have applicants who are determined.
“We should encourage those who stand on their own two feet and grow their own business and that’s why I’m fully supportive of this type of enterprise and we should be doing everything to enable them to grow.”
He proposed the committee vote to approve the application.
Powys Independents Cllr Edwin Roderick said: “We’re duty bound to support and encourage them we need people like this to support our agriculture in Powys.
Conservative Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson asked: “Why would we not wish to approve this?”
Councillors eventually moved to a vote which saw 13 agree the proposal and two vote against it.
A further detailed application will need to be agreed before building work can start.