Historic farm housing restrictions reconsidered across Powys

Powys councillors have agreed to lift historic occupancy restrictions that keep housing for local farm workers, because the industry has transformed over the last 50 years.

The decision reflects a wider planning issue across North Powys, where agricultural occupancy conditions attached to older rural properties are increasingly being reconsidered as farming practices, employment patterns and housing needs change. It also highlights the challenge of balancing the availability of homes for agricultural workers with the circumstances of properties that may no longer attract eligible occupants.

At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee on Thursday, August 6, councillors discussed two applications by Ian Raybold to get rid of the restrictions on Trenewydd, which is between Beguildy and Llanbadarn Fynydd near Knighton.

The first is section (s) 73 application to delete condition seven from outline planning permission for the house which was granted back in 1977.

The second is a subsequent s73 application to delete condition two from the detailed reserve matters planning permission which was granted in 1978.

These conditions limit the occupation of the house to people who are: “solely or mainly employed in local agriculture, or in forestry, or a widow or widower of such person.”

The applications have been called-in front of the committee by Cllr Ange Williams (Powys Independents – Knighton with Beguildy).

This is because Beguildy Community Council were against lifting the occupancy restrictions.

Planning officer Rhian Griffiths advised councillors to approve the applications.

During discussion on the first application, Cllr Corinna Kenyon-Wade (Liberal Democrat – Knighton with Beguildy) asked if “modern” occupancy restrictions placed on houses encourage owners to try and sell them as an “affordable home” before allowing them to go for sale on the open market?

Ms Griffiths: “The wording of the recommended occupancy restriction in TAN (Technical Advice Note) now, does include that provision, but the condition attached to this property doesn’t.”

Cllr Kenyon-Wade sympathised with Beguildy council and said that she was “minded” to keep the restriction.

This is because taking the occupancy restriction away puts buying the house out of the financial reach of local agricultural workers who are paid “lower wages.”

Cllr Gareth E Jones (Powys Independents – Llanelwedd) said: “It’s been advertised with the agricultural restriction for 18 months or so.

“I’m happy to support officers’ recommendations.”

Cllr Gareth Pugh (Conservative – Dolforwyn) indicated he would second the proposal.

Cllr Pugh said: “I can see 40 or 50 years ago these agricultural clauses were put on for a purpose.

“But circumstances have changed, farms don’t have the same amount of workers so the need isn’t there.”

The vote on the first application saw 12 councillors vote in favour and one councillor vote against.

On the second application, all councillors voted unanimously to delete the occupancy restriction.

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Additional reporting by MyNewtown