Dozens of people gathered at a public meeting to raise concerns about controversial plans to demolish a 140-year-old residential building in Newtown.

Croesawdy, a 140-year-old home in New Road that is currently occupied, could be demolished in October after a notice was placed on the property in late July, sparking a huge debate among Newtown residents.

The reason for the demolition has not been revealed, but permission is already in place for the same applicant to build flats and terraced homes on the former Travis Perkins site behind Croesawdy.

A public meeting in The Monty Club on Monday evening (August 8) attended by 70 people heard concerns about Newtown losing its heritage – plus the need to build new homes for people to fill job vacancies in town.

Gill Bridgwater, one of the organisers of the public campaigns to save Croesawdy, said: “This building is iconic. The architectural design is unbelievable. We’re caretakers for the next generation.

“This example we’ve got with Croesawdy has not happened before in Powys which is quite outstanding. Never has Powys County Council had an application like this that has caused such public awareness."

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Liz Hinkley, from Newtown Civic Society said: "If we had success what would happen to the building?

"It’s a building that has potential and it may need a lot of work but it could easily be flats. There’s no point talking about it being preserved, there needs to be talk about what its use."

Her view was echoed by Newtown councillor David Selby, the council's cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys, who said: ""There are around 300 people who wish or want accommodation in Newtown. One of the problems is that too many young people are moving away.

"We need to provide the right type of housing and the town will have to change. The skill is to take in the views keeping the best of the old and keeping the best of new. Let's fight for Croesawdy but let's find a use for it."

Other suggestions included one from New Road resident Kieran Purcell, who proposed fundraising for legal representation, while ward councillor Joy Jones was applauded after revealing she had called in the application to be heard by a committee. She asked residents to write to the planning department with their concerns.

Research from Newtown residents during the campaign has highlighted that some architecturally special or historical buildings appear not to be listed or in conservation areas.

And Mrs Bridgwater said: “One of the alarming things that I found out is that an awful lot of old buildings are not listed, and an awful lot isn’t even in the conservation areas.

“It speaks for itself the amount of people who are here this evening. A lot of people here are touched by New Road and knocking Croesawdy down would be such a shame.”

Next week representatives from Cadw will visit Croesawdy to consider whether the building meets the criteria for listing if think it has special architectural or historic interest to Wales.

The house was built in 1881 for Samuel Morgan Jnr, the owner of the former Severn Valley Woollen Mills which was located nearby. The mills were demolished in 1981 but Croesawdy has remained as a private house.

Comments for the application 22/1288/DEM can be emailed to planning.services@powys.gov.uk or sent to Powys County Council Dept, Llandrindod Wells, Powys LD1 1LG.

Mid Wales Property Ltd, the applicant for the demolition notice, has been approached for comment.