Controversial plans to convert a seven-bedroom house in the south of Powys into a private children’s residential care home, return to the Planning committee tomorrow.

At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee on Thursday, November 21, councillors will again debate the application made by Portsmouth-based Fair Ways Community Benefit Society for Cefnmeusydd, Morgan Street in Caehopkin.

The village is to the east of Abercrave and on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

If approved, up to four children and young people aged between six and 18 years old would live at the property.

The application had caused uproar, which included a stormy public meeting between villagers and Fair Ways.

The application was discussed at a previous Planning committee meeting in October and several villagers told councillors they feared the development would put strain on police resources for the area.

Fair Ways chief executive Mac McHugh said that the charity had not expected the “high level of objections” to the project voiced by villagers at a “disastrous” public meeting.

He told councillors that talks would start with villagers once the application is approved.

Following discussions, councillors chose to defer deciding the application due to a lack of information and concerns that the area already has “too many” children’s care homes.

Councillors also said it was “not good enough” for Fair Ways to restart talks with the community once they had planning permission.

In an updated report, principal planning officer Richard Edwards has brought up an “analysis of need” for the care home.

While the care home would be run privately, Mr Edwards points out that there is a “duty” on authorities to find placements for their children in their own area.

Mr Edwards said: “Powys children are being placed outside of county due to a current lack of provision.

“Officers are satisfied that there is a wider want for these types of units.”

Mr Edwards also points out that Dyfed-Powys Police have not formally objected to the scheme.

He explained that the police force has asked for a condition to be placed on the permission that a “management plan” for the home is agreed by themselves, and the council’s children’s social services, before it opens.

This plan governs how many children are placed there as well as how many staff should be working there at any given time.

Mr Edwards said: “Anti-social behaviour, whilst unpleasant, could be experienced by neighbours in any residential area.

“Officers consider the condition to be reasonable and that its inclusion should serve to allay many of the fears of residents with regard to the potential for increased crime and disturbance.”

In his conclusion Mr Edwards said: “After reviewing the scale of the proposed unit, consultee comments, and guidance from Dyfed-Powys Police we find that there is insufficient evidence to support these concerns, or the fears expressed by local residents.

“Having carefully considered the proposed development, officers recommend that the application be approved subject to conditions.”