16 affordable dwellings at Land Of Former Community Centre Off Oxford Road (B4348), Hay-on-Wye

What was proposed

The application proposed 16 affordable homes with access, parking, landscaping, sustainable drainage and associated works.

“Proposal: 16 affordable dwellings, including access, car parking, landscaping, sustainable drainage, and associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant former community centre site lies within Hay-on-Wye’s settlement boundary and is surrounded by homes, businesses, planting and fields.

“The site comprises a vacant plot last occupied by the former Community Centre, although now demolished, in Hay-on-Wye. Hay is a Level 2 Key Settlement, as defined by the Local Development Plan, and the site is located within the settlement boundary.”

“The site itself is generally level, however the neighbouring properties along the boundary to the north, on Oxford Road, are at a slightly elevated level. The properties bounding the site here are a mix of residential and commercial, including a dental clinic and a dwelling known as Winterton/Winterfell, while another dwelling, Hill View, is set further south than these properties, and at a similar level to the site itself.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

The proposal followed the lapse of outline permission for 19 affordable homes on the former community centre site.

“The proposal seeks to construct 16 affordable dwellings, including access works, landscaping, sustainable drainage, car parking and other associated works on the site of the former Community Centre in Hay-on-Wye, following the lapse of outline planning permission for 19 affordable dwellings (15/13047/OUT).”

“The site would consist of 12 two-bedroom dwellings and four one-bedroom dwellings, in three separate blocks throughout a cul-de-sac layout. There would be a terrace row consisting of eight two-bed dwellings to the southeast of the site, a separate terrace row consisting of four two-bed dwellings to the southwest, and a block of flats comprising four one-bed dwellings to the northwest of the site. The northeast of the site would comprise an area of landscaping and planting.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended granting permission because the development complied with the relevant development plan policies, guidance and legislation, subject to conditions.

“The proposed development would comply with the relevant policies of the Development Plan, comprising the Brecon Beacons National Park Local Development Plan (adopted 2013) and Future Wales: the National Plan 2040 (2021), as well as the general aims of Planning Policy Wales: 12th Edition (2024), and all other relevant policy, guidance and legislation.”

“RECOMMENDATION: Delegate powers to Director of Planning and Place to grant planning permission subject to planning conditions in paragraph 11 of this report.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Consultees generally raised no objection, subject to conditions covering matters including heritage, highways, ecology, trees, drainage, water and construction.

“NP Heritage Officer Building No objection, subject to conditions. Conservation…”

“Powys County Council Highways No objection, subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Concerns raised

Objectors raised concerns about flooding, highway safety, access, construction, drainage, sustainability, design, parking and landscaping.

“This application was advertised through the erection of a site notice, publicity in the local newspaper and by letter to neighbours as appropriate. Third-party comments were received and are summarised below: e Concerns in relation to potential for surface water flooding. e Highway safety concerns, particularly with regard to achievable visibility for the access. « Proposed altering the access to slow down traffic using the road, and allowing pedestrian use.”

“The Brecon Beacons Park Society raised concerns in relation to the proposed development, partly on design grounds. As the proposed design has been revised, the Society have been reconsulted, however no response has been received to date (26 November 2025). The original comments contained the following:”

Officer report

Who spoke

The case officer presented the application, and there were no public speakers.

The committee vote

The committee agreed the officer recommendation, with an additional advisory about a highway crossing.

“Proposal The officer recommendation that Members delegate powers to the Director of Planning and Place to grant planning permission subject to planning conditions in paragraph 11 of this report with the addition of an advisory regarding highway crossing to be agreed with the Director of Planning and Place, the Chair and Deputy Chair of Planning Committee, was put to Members. Proposed: Cllr E Roderick Seconded: [name withheld]…”

“Decision The officer recommendation that Members delegate powers to the Director of Planning and Place to grant planning permission subject to planning conditions in paragraph 11 of this report with the addition of an advisory regarding highway crossing to be agreed with the Director of Planning and Place, the Chair and Deputy Chair of Planning Committee, was agreed. The Chair suggested that a short comfort break be taken, all Members returned to the meeting.”

Minutes