A bid by a Machynlleth Hotel to create an extension that would store bikes and motorcycles for visitors has been turned down by Powys Council.

The White Lion Hotel, on Pentrerhedyn Street in Machynlleth, submitted a planning application to Powys Council for permission to build an extension that the business says would provide “secure storage facilities” for visitors.

However, the application, submitted earlier in 2024, was turned down by Powys council on October 23.

In the application, the White Lion said: “Machynlleth is very popular with walkers, cyclists and motorcyclists and it is our ambition to provide secure storage facilities for cycles and motorcycles.

“We also need an area for general storage for the hotel for miscellaneous furniture, equipment and appliances.

OTHER NEWS:

“The proposed storage areas will be accessed directly from our rear carpark via pairs of large double doors.

“The storage facility will be supervised by hotel staff at the point of guest check-in and guest check-out, whereby hotel staff will open-up and then secure the facility as and when guests arrive and depart with cycles and motorcycles.”

The community council and ward councillor showed support for the plan, with the latter saying “I give my full support to application”, but the application was criticised by the council’s Built Heritage Officer, whose comments were noted in the council’s delegated report on the proposal.

The Built Heritage Officer said: “The application has failed to show why works which would affect the character of a listed building are desirable or necessary.

“The proposal as submitted has not provided the Local Planning Authority with an adequate Heritage Impact Assessment for the listed building nor full information, to enable a full assessment of  the likely impact of their proposals on the special architectural or historic interest of the building and on its setting. 

“The applicant has failed to provide an assessment on the setting of the historic asset of the listed building.

“This location is likely considered acceptable in terms of the Listed Building itself, the setting of other nearby listed buildings, and the character of the conservation area.

“However, it is for the application to clearly demonstrate this, which it has not done.”