BY JUST a couple of votes controversial plans to convert a seven bedroom house in the south of Powys into a private children’s residential care home, have been given the go ahead.
At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee on Thursday, November 21, the application by Portsmouth based Fair Ways Community Benefit Society for Cefnmeusydd, Morgan Street in Caehopkin came back in front of councillors.
The village is to the east of Abercrave and on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.
The application was discussed at a previous Planning committee meeting in October and several villagers told councillors they feared the development would put strain on police resources for the area.
Committee chairman, Cllr Gareth D Jones explained that unlike the first time round there would be no public speakers to argue for or against the application, as there had been “no material changes” to the proposal.
In an updated report principal planning officer Richard Edwards explained that Dyfed Powys Police asked for a condition to be placed on the permission that a “management plan” for the home is agreed by themselves, and the council’s children’s social services, before it opens.
Mr Edwards also said that Dyfed Powys Police have not formally objected to the scheme and recommended that councillors approved the application.
Cllr Huw Williams said: “Caehopkin is a small village, and I ask the committee to consider the concerns of the residents living there.
“There are four other (children’s care) homes registered in the area.
“To me it’s unprecedented that we ask the police to comment on an application.”
He pointed out that police had been involved in searches for missing people in the area 85 times in the last year.
Cllr Williams said: “That’s with the current number of residential homes, this is an additional one.”
Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson said: “Police may not have objected but I certainly would not describe their position as completely happy.”
Planning professional lead Peter Morris said: “Fear of crime is a material planning consideration but it can be mitigated.
“They have offered the management plan condition, and we’re satisfied it addresses the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour adequately.”
“The Police would not ordinarily be a consultee; the residents have raised this issue, and we have gone to them to understand their perspective.”
Several councillors questioned whether the facility would look after Powys children or bring them in from outside the county.
Cllr Gareth E Jones reminded the committee the Social Services were expected to bring Powys children “closer to home” and pointed out the Swindon is nearer to Caerhopkin than Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant in the north of Powys.
Cllr Elwyn Vaughan said: “Nowhere in the application do I see the justification of a local need and so I don’t see how it stacks up.”
Mr Morris said: “What we have here is a business looking to invest in the area and our position is not to interfere in the marketplace.”
Other councillors were concerned that the applicant could appeal against the committee’s decision if the application were refused.
Cllr Gareth Pugh said: “I appreciate the concerns, but we are a Planning committee, and all of the responses have addressed these comprehensively.
“We have to be careful we don’t put Powys in the position of them going to an appeal.
Cllr Pugh added that he was ready support the officer’s recommendation and move the committee to a vote.
The vote took place and saw six councillors vote in favour of the application, four voted against and one councillor abstained.