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Plans submitted to replace ‘dilapidated’ Machynlleth bakehouse with affordable housing

Powys County Council

PLANS to demolish a “dilapidated” former bakehouse in Machynlleth and replace it with terraced housing have been lodged with Powys County Council.

The applications has been made by Anthony Roberts and is for a site behind Arvonia Bakery off Heol Maengwyn.

This is the third proposal that has been lodged with county planners in the last two years to develop the site, which lies behind numbers 14 and 16 Heol Maengwyn, the town’s main shopping street.

Full and conservation area consent (CAC) planning applications for a terrace with three two bedroom dwellings were submitted and then withdrawn in 2023.

Last year full and CAC applications for two, two bedroom properties and rebuilding of a storage facility were refused planning permission.

Planning agent Nerina Vaughan of NRV architectural design explained the new proposal in a design and access statement.

Ms Vaughan said: “The proposal is for the demolition of the dilapidated stone / timber buildings plus more recent brick extensions which house the ovens and equipment for Arvonia bakery, and the construction of a terrace of three stone faced / timber boarded dwellings which will be offered for affordable rental.

“The buildings are situated to the rear of the shops on the south side of Heol Maengwyn and in proximity to the Wynnstay Hotel listed building, in the centre of Machynlleth and within the boundary of the conservation area.”

She explained that the planning brief was to use the site to create a “simple but comfortable and attractive living accommodation” for local people.

Converting the existing buildings had been thought about, but due to their “advance state of deterioration” it was dismissed as too much “rebuilding” work would be needed.

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Ms Vaughan said: “The vision is to create comfortable, sustainable two bedroomed homes with outdoor amenity space which will be aesthetically pleasing and utilise a neglected town centre site.”

“Machynlleth is listed as an area retail centre and therefore proposals that undermine the retail hierarchy will not be permitted.

“In this case it is considered that although in a town centre location the buildings would not be practical for retail use due to the secluded location.”

She believed that another factor in favour of the proposal is that there are numerous empty shops in Machynlleth which “suggests” that demand for shop units “isn’t high.”

Ms Vaughan said: “”There is however high demand for residential accommodation, especially that which is affordable and within active travel distance of all local amenities.”

A decision on the application is expected by March 11.

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