A former leather goods factory in Llanidloes could be demolished and the site re-developed to make way for new homes.

Locals are being asked to give their views on a proposed development that could see eight semi-detached homes being built at the former Sandringham factory site in Eastgate Street which is currently owned by Hafren Furnishers and used by the long-established business as a warehouse for storing furniture.

Llanidloes construction company JJP Services Ltd has applied for Powys County Council’s permission to build two two-bedroom and six three-bedroom redbrick houses with private gardens and 17 off-road parking spaces; "affordable dwelling houses for local people" which it says is needed in the area.

The applicant added that it do not propose to provide a required affordable home and instead the company will agree to pay a financial contribution in lieu of the on-site provision.

Plans also include a new two-metre pavement from the B4569 to “vastly improve” the current one-metre pavement that leads to a day nursery and Severn Depot.

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Addressing the issue that the town could lose an existing employment site, the planning application states there are commercial and industrial units available in the town, and there is demand for smaller modern buildings with good parking which the 

Lacey & Owen Architectural Services, authors of a design and access statement on behalf of the applicant, said the current single-storey building which was built in the 1960s is “not fit for purpose” for commercial use due to the surrounding dwellings and the restricted access for articulated lorries.

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“Hafren Furnishers use of the building has fallen over the years, with it now only being used for overspill storage, meaning that the building is largely empty. There are several alternative commercial units within Llanidloes.

“There are alternative units available, and the loss of the application site, would not lead to the under provision of employment land or premises."

The proposal would result in removing around seven metres of hedgerow which provides shelter and food for small mammals, birds and insects.

An ecological impact statement adds that the proposed development would result in the small scale loss of suitable nesting habitat which is “unlikely to have a significant adverse effect” on local bird populations.

The applicant proposes bat and bird boxes on the homes, and planting a new tree, hedge and shrubs including a ‘hedgehog highway’.

Lacey & Owen Architectural Services concluded: “The proposed development will provide eight dwellings of a type and size, identified as being required in the local area.

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"The current building is of an age, size and location such that it is not suitable for commercial use, with the current user not requiring due to other available owned sites within the town.

"There are sufficient alternative commercial properties available within the local area, to warrant the loss of the existing building.

“The proposed is designed to be sympathetic with its surroundings and other improvements where possible, through road design and bio-diversity enhancements.”

You can view the application 23/0358/FUL on the Powys County Council’s planning portal where people can share their views about the proposals.