No decision on a planning application to demolish a garage and build a new bigger one to replace it in Newtown, will be taken until after the local government elections.
At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee on Thursday, April 7 councillors were told that the application should be deferred to a future meeting just in case it influences the council election in that ward.
The applicant Karl Chapple Gill wants to build a bigger garage as well as a new driveway and drop the kerb at High Meadow, Churchill Drive, Newtown.
The application was in front of councillor after it was “called in” to be decided by councillors by Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn North county councillor, Dan Rowlands.
This is due to objections over the size of the garage and that it could built for a “commercial use” while the applicant has said it is for his own cars.
After changes to Powys council ward boundaries were approved last summer the ward, is now known as Newtown North.
Planning professional lead Peter Morris said: “The monitoring officer (Clive Pinney) contacted me yesterday about this application and raised an issue.
“We do have (public) speakers on this application including the local member Cllr Rowlands.
“He has provided his speech, we were going to suggest that we read it out, however the monitoring officer’s concern is that it may have an impact in the forthcoming election in that ward because it is a contested seat.
“So, to avoid any conflict he’s recommending that we seek deferral of the application.
Councillors were told that the decision of going ahead, or postponing debate of the application was in their hands.
Cllr Phil Pritchard said: “We have specialist qualified professional people who are there to advise us.
“In this particular situation, we should take the advice of the monitoring officer.”
Cllr Pritchard proposed voting in favour of a deferral and Cllr Les George seconded the motion, which was agreed unanimously.
There are three candidates standing for election to Powys County Council in the North Newtown ward.
They are:
Adam Dale Kennerley – Welsh Liberal Democrat
Jackie Molloy-Davies – Independent
Dan Rowlands – Welsh Conservative
Voting takes place on Thursday, May 5.
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