Persimmon Homes West Wales will now be able to go ahead and build a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes and all the associated works at the site of the former Penrhos primary school site in the town

Persimmon Homes said in documents lodged to support the development that the project would create 63 jobs for the construction industry and supply chains.

Outline planning permission, which establishes the principle for development was agreed by the Powys County Council planning committee at a meeting in July 2019.

But, despite Ystradgynlais being one of the most deprived areas of Powys, there is no provision of affordable homes in the scheme and all homes will be sold on the open market.

At that meeting concerns about the lack of affordable housing and what the council is getting from the s106 legal agreement were aired.

The s106 agreement is that the applicants are expected to pay £17,500 for extra play equipment at the nearby Penrhos playing field.

According to the report by planning officer Catherine James this sum will be paid “upon the completion and occupation” of three houses on site.

In her report Ms James explained that the LDP says that developments of more than five homes or in sites of 0.25 hectares and above need to make contributions towards affordable housing.

But these contributions are based on what is “required” in each “submarket area.”

Ms James said: “Ystradgynlais falls within the South West Powys sub-market area with a 0 (zero) per cent contribution to affordable housing.

“As such, no affordable housing will be provided as part of the proposed development, and this is in line with Powys LDP (Local Development Plan) policy.”

Ms James granted approval subject to a number of conditions that Persimmon Homes need to fulfil before building work can start.

One of these is that: building work starts inside of two years from the approval notice being sent out.

Also, the road and pavement infrastructure of the estate needs to be built and finished before anyone can move to live in the houses.

Penrhos was one of several schools in the Ystradgynlais area that was closed in 2012 as part of a multi-million education transformation scheme by PCC.

Four new schools were to be built in the area to replace 10.