Two community councils and 29 people have objected to a planning application to build a campsite near Newtown between Bettws Cedewain and Berriew.
Applicant, Sarah Whitley of Ty’n yr Wtra, Brooks, has applied to change the use of agricultural land to build a campsite, demolish existing agricultural outbuildings and build toilets and wash facilities.
The application will be decided at Powys County Council’s (PCC) planning committee meeting on Thursday.
In a report to the committee principal planning officer Tamsin Law said: “Consent is sought for the change of use of agricultural land to a campsite comprising 17 camping/glamping pitches, the demolition of an existing agricultural building and construction of an amenity building.
“The development will provide 19 parking spaces, three disabled parking spaces along with parking for 10 bicycles.”
Ms Law added that the facilities would be 7.7 metres in length, 6.1 metres in width with a maximum height of 4.4 metres and would have three toilets and three showers as well as a washing area.
Ms law added: “The application seeks consent for 17 pitches for the purposes of camping and will provide bell tents or allow customers to pitch their own tent on the designated pitch.
“The proposed bell tents have a 6 metre circumference and measure approximately 3.6 metres in height.
“The bell tents will be finished in breathable canvas.
“Any tent that a customer will bring on to the site will need to be located on one of the 17 pitches applied for under this application.”
Ms Law said that she recommended conditional consent.
There is some history to the site.
An application was submitted in the past and concerns were raised over the impact the development would have on nearby roads, this application was later withdrawn.
In November 2018 Bettws Community Council held a public meeting to discuss the application.
After that meeting they said they wanted to object to the application on several issues, including: Health and Safety.
They believe that by marketing cycle route 81 which runs from Wolverhampton to Aberystwyth, for would be campers would create extra traffic and danger.
Bettws community council also said that footpaths would also be dangerous because of the cattle herds in the area which they believe could: “cause a major accident to someone if the animals are not respected.”
The council said: “The main concern, being the dangers not only to local people but guests travelling to the proposed campsite.
“We feel it is not a viable project, due to the proportion of guests the applicant is looking to invite into a small area, with no real activity on site for guest, therefore they have to travel or walk or cycle from the site.”
“With this in mind, the applicants are asking the neighbouring farmers, to take on the risk of greatly increasing the amount of people using the footpaths and roads in the Brooks area which we feel is very unfair and irresponsible and shows little consideration for existing residents who have built their livelihoods in the area.”
Berriew added that they also objected to the application on highways and health and safety issues.
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service