A former shop on Llanidloes’ High Street will become a holiday let as Powys Council approved plans to convert the building.

Having received an application for planning permission to convert a Grade II-listed building on Llanidloes’ High Street into a holiday let earlier this year, Powys Council has now given the green light to the plans.

Powys County Council received the planning application in June 2024 and granted approval to the plans on November 20, 2024, meaning the former Sabrina Travel Shop will become a single studio holiday let.

In describing the project, the planning application says: “The proposal aims to sensitively restore and upgrade the existing building of No. 11 High Street which is Grade II listed and falls within a local Conservation Area. The project focuses on the change of use of the ground floor into a single studio holiday let.

“The proposed works will maintain and enhance the external character and appearance of the building. Features and fabric of significance will be preserved in situ and repaired if necessary.

OTHER NEWS:

“Where elements of the building are found to be unsound and incapable of repair, or their condition is causing on-going harm to the building, these components will be carefully removed and replaced with matching features/components where possible.

“Internally, there will be some minor changes to the usage of spaces but the general layout of the building will be retained and re-utilised for holiday let purposes.”

In the council’s delegated report, the Built Heritage Officer commented: “The Council’s Built Heritage Officer has been consulted and has confirmed following the receipt of amended plans, no objection to the proposed development subject to conditions.”

Earlier in the year, when the proposal was discussed by Llanidloes Town Council, some concerns were raised over the plans.

Cllr Trudy Davies shared concerns that "we are going down a sliding slope where all empty shops are going residential".

She added: "Perhaps in future when we do see an upturn there could be a need for commercial premises. It’s a very hard."

However, in their report, the council concluded: “In light of the above considerations, it is therefore considered that the proposed development does comply with relevant planning policy. The decision is one of approval.”