PLANS to demolish a garage and build a new bigger one to replace it look set to be approved, despite a councillor saying local residents opposed the plans.

The proposals for Karl Chapple Gill's property in Churchill Drive in Newtown would see a garage 6.35 metres long, the same measure in width, and with a maximum height of 3.6 metres used for the applicant's cars.

But the plans will have to be agreed by a planning committee after Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn North county councillor Dan Rowlands called in the proposals.

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Cllr Rowlands said: “I have had a number of emails and phone calls from  residents raising concerns over this application.

“In particular the residents are concerned about: the size of the garage compared to the previous garage, the materials being used – steel structure may not be suitable for the area.”

Cllr Rowlands added that residents feared the garage looked more like an “industrial building” rather than residential garage and that they it could be for a “commercial use.”

Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council discussed the application at a meeting in February.

County Times: Cllr Dan RowlandsCllr Dan Rowlands

The town council objected to the scheme as they believe it is contrary to policy CHA in the Newtown Place plan, which say new development and redevelopment should "contribute positively to the character and local distinctiveness" of the are.

Powys planning officer Luke Jones said: “Following the erection of a site notice on January 26 the local planning authority received eight letters of objection to the proposed development.

“A condition will be attached to any consent granted restricting the use of the garage  to ensure it is not used for any commercial purposes.”

He recommended that councillors should approve the garage.