A project that aims to convert a Grade II-listed Powys building from the 19th Century has been fully approved by Powys County Council.

Plans to turn one of the oldest buildings in Machynlleth, the former stables and coach house of Y Plas, into a 36-bedroom lodge were granted full planning permission by Powys County Council on Friday, August 23.

An application for planning permission was submitted in December 2023 and outlined a plan to turn the 19th Century building that now sits alongside the A487 trunk road by repairing, or retaining where possible, the existing roof, walls, windows, and doors, laying a new ground floor and dividing the building’s internal spaces to create a new layout.

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In their delegated report, the council said: “It is considered that the proposed application would not result in an unacceptable impact on the listed building, conservation area, or any other planning matter and is considered to be acceptable and in accordance with relevant planning policies. The recommendation is therefore one of conditional consent.”

The project was commissioned by the current owners of the building, Machynlleth Town Council, led by Machynlleth Hen Stablau Ltd Community Interest Company in consultation with George + Tomos Architects.

In describing the project, the application said: “The objective of this project is to undertake the phased consolidation and repair the building envelope, prior to undertaking a development phase of works to refurbish and remodel the former coach house and stables to provide hostel accommodation for the benefit of the town, for visitors, tourism and community use.

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“The ambition of this project is to repair, to revitalise and to adaptively re-use the former coach house, stables and kennels at Plas Machynlleth to create a 36-bed hostel of short-term bookable accommodation with supporting communal and catering spaces.”

Commenting on the application, Built Heritage Officer Sam Johnson said: “The scheme will improve the communal value of the building, bringing it into public use.

“Aesthetic improvement will be made in terms of the condition and repair, but also removal of inappropriate later works.

“Evidential details as to the historic use will be retained, and conditions have been designed especially to ensure it. Historic value will be enhanced by the repair of the building and the sensitive approach.”

While full approval has been granted, the project is currently waiting on obtaining a bat license from Natural Resources Wales, as protected species of bats are present at the site, before work can officially begin.