Housing boss “yet to be convinced” over Vaynor

A housing company chief who wanted to develop houses on the last piece of open land on the Vaynor Estate says he is still not convinced by the Town Council’s call for a community hub to be built instead.

 

Mid Wales Housing Association had their application to built six homes rejected by Powys County Council last week, following objections by residents and the Town Council that Powys’s largest estate desperately needed a new village hall-style facility on the same land.

 

But while Shane Perkins, chief executive, says he understands the argument and is willing to propose a suitable ‘hub’, he remains unconvinced that the estate actually wants it.

 

“I am very pleased that the Town Council and County Councillor Russ George are supporting the project, but am yet to be convinced that there is the groundswell of interest on the estate which is so important,” said Mr Perkins. “This is born out of past experience when the Association tried to develop a similar projects a number of years ago. The Association is hoping to organise an open meeting on the estate to gauge support, whilst I believe the town council is planning some form of survey.

 

“This is very early days, and whilst we have some initial ideas there is a lot of work to be undertaken before any project can be regarded as viable.”

 

But Town Mayor, Joy Jones, who actually lives on the estate, said that the facility is vital to the community.

 

“Mid Wales Housing has not got its finger on the pulse of opinion down there,” she said. “There is a tremendous amount of support for it. Such a hub would be very well used and I have also been approached by a number of other agencies who have said they would use the facility as well. We have a huge estate – the biggest in Powys – which has just one shop! Simply not good enough; this will be a vital amenity for the people of Vaynor who have nothing there at the moment.”

 

Mid Wales Housing Association is developing plans which will be submitted once they receive the support of the Town Council and local residents.