Councillor does not need to submit detailed plans for new barn

A Powys County Councillor can go ahead and build a barn on his farm without the need for a detailed planning application to be made.

At a meeting of the council’s planning committee on Wednesday, October 5, councillors looked at a prior notice agriculture notification application by Cllr Adrian Jones.

Applications by Powys councillors and council staff are automatically brought in front of the committee for a decision.

Cllr Jones who is one of the new 2022 intake in May was elected to represent the Berriew and Castle Caereinion ward, wants to build an agricultural storage building and all associated works at Pied House, Garthmyl, near Montgomery.

The structure will measure approximately 36.3 metres in length, 12.8 metres in width, 4.27 metres in height to the eaves going up to a maximum of 6.5 metres at its highest point.

The building will be used to store hay and animal feed and will be built next to an existing barn where livestock is kept.

Planning officer Luke Woosnam told councillors that the application did not need a full planning application and it could be built using permitted development rights.

Planning committee solicitor, Colin Edwards said: “In accordance with the planning protocol I have reviewed the file and confirm that the application has been processed normally.”

Cllr Gareth Pugh said: “Obviously this is only in front of us because Adrian is a county councillor.”

Cllr Pugh indicated that when the proposal was due to go to a vote, he would be ready to propose that the agriculture notification is approved.

His motion was seconded by Cllr Huw Williams and the scheme was approved unanimously by councillors.