Why can’t buildings earmarked to be sold off by Powys County Council be converted into housing accommodation, a councillor has asked.

At a meeting of the council’s Economy Residents and Communities scrutiny committee on Monday, January 27, councillors probed draft budget proposals for savings and costs including property and planning.

Proposed savings for next year’s budget include £140,000 for the “disposal” of the Gwalia office in Llandrindod Wells and £147,000 for the Neuadd Brycheiniog office in Brecon.

Cabinet member for planning and property, Liberal Democrat Cllr Jake Berriman, explained that these sums are not what the council would hope to get in the sale, but the savings in not using them.

Labour’s Cllr Liz Rijnenberg asked: “Has any consideration been given for these buildings being used for accommodation, as there are big pressures on the housing budget?

“How realistic is it for the sales to be made and the income to be brought in?

“Is this a short term gain that would put pressure on other departments such as housing?”

Cllr Berriman answered: “In relation to the Gwalia, we have a sale in principle at the moment, there is more due diligence required, and officers are doing that.”

Turning to Neuadd Brycheiniog, which is the registration office in Brecon, Cllr Berriman said: “Clearly that is a potential redevelopment site in the heart of Brecon which has great value for a number of things, including potentially housing.

“Mixed housing I think would be preferable and requires having between 20 to 30 per cent affordable housing and open market housing which would meet local needs.”

He said that there had been talks with the housing department over a “longer term” solution for the site.

“It means working with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Authority) over the planning aspects of the proposal,” said Cllr Berriman.

Later in the meeting, the council’s head of housing Andy Thompson said: “A paper is going to Cabinet at some point this year, probably by the summer with the range of options for Neuadd Brycheiniog.

These would include developing council housing on the site as well as a homeless unit.

He added that there was “incredible demand” for affordable and council housing in Brecon.

“Just to put your minds at rest, it is a very important project,” said Mr Thompson.