Care provider submits plans to extend provision at Ystradgynlais site

A care provider has submitted plans to build bungalows and staff accommodation at the site of a former school in Ystradgynlais.

Applicants, Fieldbay Ltd already run a Care Home at Yr Ysgol (The School) and want to use land to the south of the site to build four supported living bungalows and a staff pod.

Fieldbay provide nursing, residential, domiciliary, and home care for people who have complex needs.

The land had been used for car parking, but according to the plans there is enough space elsewhere on the site for staff and visitors to park.

The care home provides nursing and personal care for up to 16 people over the age of 18 years with mental health issues, diagnosis of dementia or brain injury,

In a design and access statement, KWL architects explain the proposal.

KWL, said: “The site comprises if an existing care home that used to be the former Cynlais primary school.

“It comprises a large area of hardstanding/car park, relatively flat and offering good accessible external spaces.

“The bungalows will offer direct links to the existing services the home offers.

“The proposed bungalows and staff pod will offer accommodation, support services, assistance and specialist healthcare that ca be tailored and evolve to meet the individual care needs of the residents.

“Care and support services are available 24 hours a day that can meet all residents needs in a way that retains the dignity and independence of each individual and encourages the involvement of the residents family, neighbours and friends.”

The statement adds that Yr Ysgol is 650 metres north of Ystradgynlais town centre and is close to the A4067 road and a bus route stops nearby on Heol Giedd.

But there is a snag with the site as it is inside a C2 Flood Zone on Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Development Advice Map (DAM) as the river Tawe runs just 100 metres away from the site.

This means that the site is “without significant flood defence structure” and the development is “highly vulnerable” and would be considered unacceptable.

A flood consequence reports as part of the application says that NRW agreed that this part of the town would be flood free apart from a one-in-1000-year event when looking at a nearby planning application.

JBA consulting conducted a flood consequences assessment of the site.

In their report JBA said that the DAM classification is not based on the “best available data.”

As it’s not possible to challenge the DAM at the moment, added weight should be given to the evidence in their assessment.

JBA said: “The site is at moderate risk of surface water flooding due to the car park forming localised depression.

“This risk will be managed through good site design.

“Not withstanding the outdated DAM classification, the site satisfied all the requirements of the justification test and acceptability criteria.”

They added that a sustainable drainage system) (SuDS) application would need to be made to Powys’ sustainable drainage approval body (SAB).

The application will be decided by Powys County Council planners at a future date.