Still no decision from Welsh Government on Crematorium plans

Plans to build a Crematorium near Caersws are still in limbo months after the decision was called in by the Welsh Government.

At the end of August 2021  plans by Powys Crematorium Limited to build an all-new crematorium as well as a garden of remembrance at a 13.66-hectare site north of the B4568 road at Ael Y Bryn between Caersws and Aberhafesp were “called in” to be decided in Cardiff by a government minister

Planning inspectors’ advice and recommendation will be given to a Welsh Government minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS, who will make the ultimate decision.

A Welsh Government spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that there was no “update” at the moment and that that no decision had been made yet.

Back in May 2021, councillors on Powys County Council’s (PCC) planning committee approved the proposal.

Powys County Councillor for Dolforwyn, Cllr Gareth Pugh is the sole director of Powys Crematorium Ltd and is a member of the planning committee.

When the application was discussed, he declared an interest and was not in the meeting when the decision was taken.

Powys Crematorium Ltd have said that they are “disappointed” the application was called in, and “are confident” their scheme will stand up to “the fullest scrutiny” from planning inspectors.

Objectors to the scheme are happy to see the Welsh Government decide the application and are “keen” to find out when a decision will be taken.

They have argued that there are “many” reasons not to allow the Crematorium to be built.

One of their main arguments is that extra traffic in a rural area,  “on winding B roads through three villages” will cause major safety issues.