POWYS planners are advising councillors to approve controversial retrospective proposals for tourist accommodation near Llanymynech, just four months after a previous scheme was rejected.

At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way committee on Thursday, June 6 councillors will debate plans by Robert and Margaret Pownall for four “geodome” tents with decking areas for outdoor baths and a barbecue area at Laburnum House in Brynmawr near Llanymynech.

Three of the tents are already in use by visitors.

The application also covers the formation of access pathways and car parking, proposed installation toilet facilities, installation of a sewage treatment plant and construction of two passing places.

A previous planning application was refused by Powys planners in February, amid concerns from officers that the application would have an “unacceptable adverse impact upon the landscape", adding that the foul drainage system "does not meet appropriate standards”.

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The application was called in for a decision by the committee by local county councillor Arwel Jones.

Llandysilio community council discussed the scheme in a meeting at the end of March and objected to it on the grounds of its impact on traffic on the small road and water supplies in the area.

Water company Hafren Dyfrdwy contacted residents in Brynmawr last summer asking them to “limit their intake of water.”

The council also says the applicants have let out the geodomes to visitors and did not comply with a planning enforcement deadline of dismantling the structures by February 20.

Llandysilio council said: “There must be a clear message to the residents of Powys that they simply cannot develop where they want, we have a planning structure which has been agreed and must be adhered to.”

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Oliver Evans of Morris Marshall and Poole is the planning agent for the couple, and he believes the issues with the previous application have been solved.

Mr Evans said: "We have come to the decision to install a septic tank, with a drainage field for clean effluent to discharge.

He added that the geodomes would be painted green to help them “blend” into the countryside, and that two electric vehicle charging points would also be installed.

He said the business – called Laburnum View Retreat – has already been a “positive addition” to the area.

Mr Evans said: “Many of our guests actively support the local community, with them often being seen in nearby pubs, restaurants, shops and using the local walking trails.

“As the sites grows, we hope this brings more business and employment opportunities to the community.”

Senior planning officer Kate Bowen said that planning legislation allows retrospective planning applications to be submitted in a bid to solve problems.

Mrs Bowen said: “The issues raised by the community council have been carefully considered as well as the contents of the previously refused application.

“The provision of tourist accommodation is supported by planning policy, and it is considered that the alterations to the development have overcome the previous concerns in terms of landscape impact.

“In addition, the amendment to the foul drainage system has addressed the concerns."