Historic hall plans given the go ahead

Powys County planners have given the thumbs up to plans to extend a country house near Montgomery, which is used as a wedding venue.

In January, Robert Pugh lodged full and listed building consent planning applications with Powys County Council for a 197sq metre extension to be built at the Grade II (Two) listed Garthmyl Hall, which is just off the A483 main road.

The proposal would replace a marquee, which is used as a wedding venue, as it does not: “fit in with the essence of the site or building.”

The extension would measure 19.74 metres long by 9.87 metres wide and would be a flat roof single storey structure with a height of 4.5 metres.

Similar applications were lodged with Powys planners last summer.

However, these were withdrawn in August after heritage organisations raised concerns that the scheme proposed at that time would harm the building's “overall aesthetic appeal.”

In the lead up to the formal submission of the fresh applications talks have been held with the council’s built heritage officer, Dr Sam Johnson and other consultees to discuss a “way forward” for the project.

Following these discussions amendments to the scheme were made.

The applicant’s planning agent Gerallt Davies, of Roger Parry and Partners said this: “ensures the extension is fully in keeping with the hall.”

Planning officer Natalie Hinds said:  “The built heritage officer has provided guidance for this scheme following the withdrawal of the previous applications

“The built heritage officer has supported the scheme and commended the classical detailing of the design as well as its connection to the wider garden area.”

Ms Hinds said that Dr Johnson had advised her to approve the scheme subject to conditions.

She added that the Welsh Government’s historic and environment service, Cadw were also consulted on the proposal and supported the application.

Ms Hinds said: “Given these considerations, the proposed development does fundamentally comply with relevant planning policy.

“The recommendation is one of conditional consent.”

Garthmyl Hall has been used as a wedding venue since 2014.

It was built in 1762 and remodelled in 1859 by James K. Colling for Major Gould.

Its significance is because it is seen as a fine example of an Italianate country house of the mid-19th century.

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service