THE wait for a decision on whether plans a crematorium can be built near Caersws could go on for another couple of months.

A Welsh Government spokesman has said that November 1 is the deadline for a ministerial decision on the application.

On July 5  a planning hearing took place into planning hearing took place which heard arguments for and against plans by Powys Crematorium Limited to build an all-new crematorium at a site north of the B4568 road on land “formally known” as  Ael Y Bryn between Caersws and Aberhafesp.

The application, which was lodged Powys County Councillor for Abermule, Cllr Gareth Pugh’s firm,  had been approved by the council’s Planning Committee in May 2021.

But it was “called in” to be decided by a government minister in August 2021.

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A Welsh Government spokesman said: “On  August 9, the Planning Directorate of the Welsh Government  received a copy of the inspector’s report and associated documentation, regarding the planning application, from Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

“The application is to be determined by the Welsh ministers.

“The indicative target for determining the application is on or before November 1.”

The hearing was conducted by former director of Wales planning inspectorate, Tony Thickett who kept the parameters of the hearing to three key issues.

  • Is there a need for a crematorium in Powys?
  • Is it the right location?
  • Issues of highway safety.

At the end of the hearing, Mr Thickett said that he would visit the site to see the lie of the land for himself and that he had seven weeks to draft his report and provide his recommendation to the Welsh Government minister.