Green light for £1.3m Church conversion

The iconic 160 year-old Church (right) closed its doors three years ago after being found to be structurally unsound and it will reopen following a £1.3 million refit as a Playbarn which is expected to create up to 16 full and part-time jobs.

The green light was given by Powys County Council who granted listed building consent and change of use consent, meaning that applicant, Grandstand Leisure Ltd, of Trefeglwys, can carry out internal and external works providing they adhere to conditions.

A Powys County Council spokesperson said, said: “I am delighted that permission has been granted for the conversion of the former St David’s Church, into a play barn. Such buildings need preserving as they are part of our heritage and the only way to do that successfully, is to find a sustainable economic use for them.”

The development will feature three party rooms, a main play frame, Astra slides, 25-foot high drop slides, double drop slides and a separate under fives play area. There will also be a separate teenage area, café, restaurant serving locally sourced food and a viewing gallery for parents to watch their children play.

The applicants will now seek faculty permission from the Church in Wales for the planning permissions granted by Powys County Council.

Because of insurmountable infrastructure problems, the church had to close in June 2006 and the Parish of Newtown merged with the Parish of Llanllwchaiarn.