Could Newtown tech park be delayed by government intervention?

Welsh Government planning inspectors are considering taking the planning process for a major development on the outskirts of Newtown out of the hands of Powys planners.

In June, members of the Liberal Democrat/Labour council administration announced that the “hybrid” application to build the Cymru Tech Park at land near Newtown College had been officially lodged with Powys County Council (PCC).

The proposal, which is a joint effort between Powys council and the NPTC Group of Colleges, is for an advanced manufacturing centre, a range of modern business units and a Green Skills Academy designed to support innovation and growth.

It’s claimed the proposal will create 370 jobs.

This is for the first phase of development, including the site access road, Green Skills Academy and initial business units.

The scheme is called a “hybrid” application as parts of it are also outline proposals. Agreeing this aspect of the application would establish the principle for further development on the site, with details to follow in a further reserved matters application.

The idea has not gone down well with everyone, and some locals have already voiced their opposition to the proposals.

An action group, No to Cymru Tech Park Newtown, has been formed to oppose the scheme.

Opponents fear the development will bring a heavy volume of traffic to the area, the loss of fields, that it’s too close to homes, and doubt that it will really give an economic boost to the area.

An application to call in the proposal was lodged with the Welsh Government on July 17 and is now “under initial processing”.

Earlier this month, Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council discussed the proposal and said they could see both pros and cons with the plan, and essentially asked whether this is already a done deal.

Newtown council said: “The town council acknowledges the potential benefits of the development, such as creating jobs, retaining local talent and reinforcing Newtown as an employment and training centre.

“The town council notes in PCC’s GROW Powys Economic Strategy 2026–2040, point 4.2, one clear commitment within the strategy seeks to establish a centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing and engineering skills in Newtown, and seeks to clarify whether the decision on this planning application has effectively already been made.

“The town council requests that concerns expressed by residents relating to traffic, noise, flooding, the size of buildings and the loss of green space are acknowledged and addressed with clear explanations.

“The town council highlights the loss of open space in this proposal and asks that Section 106 monies be requested and allocated to maintaining and enhancing open spaces such as the community orchard.”

Initially, Powys planners’ deadline for a decision was August 7.

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service