HOUSEHOLDERS in Talgarth’s conservation area will lose the automatic right to make alterations to their homes under beefed up planning rules.

Minor alterations such as painting the front of a house or changing doors and windows are normally allowed under what are known as "permitted development rights" with no need to apply for planning permission.

But Talgarth Town Council has said it has been concerned by a number of changes in the Talgarth Conservation Area and has asked the Brecon Beacons National Park to slap additional protection, known as an Article 4(2) Direction, on selected properties in the protected part of the town.

Planning officer Ryan Greaney said the direction would mean householders would have to apply for planning permission before making even minor alterations.

He told the authority’s June meeting: "A number of issues have concerned Talgarth Town Council that are related to permitted developments, these do not require planning permission.

"The town council has requested us to address this issue with the direction.

"Planning permission will be required for work previously regarded as permitted development. It is not a block but gives the authority’s specialists and local representatives the opportunity to consider the potential affect."

Mr Greaney said the direction is similar to tree protection orders, only applied to houses in areas facing public highways.

Talgarth town councillor Niel Bally, who was invited to address the park committee, said: "People’s front gardens have been removed or taken out and are being used as car park and destroying the street scene.

"One thirty yard stone wall has been removed and replaced with breeze blocks.

"We are really concerned the character of the town could disappear."

In Brecon the park authority, which reviews the conservation areas every five years, wants to increase the size of the protected zone.

It is proposing the Brecon Conservation Area should include Mill Street, Dainter Street, St John’s Road (north side), North Road and part of Maendu Street in the area south west of the Cathedral.

Planners say Mill Street and Dainter Street are characterised by narrow streets and that Dainter Street has an "attractive informal square in the middle".

Brecon’s main car park, the Morrison’s and Co-op supermarkets and the existing tourist information centre could also be included in the bigger conservation area.

A report for the committee said: "Although the area does not have any historic merit in terms of the built environment, it offers important views into the conservation area and is seen in the foreground of the historic town centre from the higher ground to the north east."

The park says expanding the conservation area to include the car park and supermarkets would give it a greater level of control should any redevelopment proposals come forward, which it fears could have a significant impact on the setting of the conservation area.

A management plan will also be drawn up for Hay-on-Wye’s conservation area.

Members agreed to start an eight week consultation, including expanding the Brecon area, as well as consulting on serving the protection notices in Talgarth.

The park committee will consider the outcomes of the consultation in September.