A HISTORIC building which used to host a car sales business has been torn down to make way for a new travel interchange.

Contractors arrived to demolish the building, which was home to Eric Evans Ltd from January 1985, last Saturday (January 26) morning and had finished by the end of the following Sunday.

The building was destroyed quickly over the weekend following an arrangement between Powys County Council and Network Rail so that it would not disrupt the train service or commuters in the town.

The building was sold in early 2018 by the previous owners Eric and Ann Evans, who had spent nearly 35 years at the site, to Powys County Council who will be converting the site into the hub for transport and Powys Health Board parking.

The showroom, which was a Vauxhall dealer as well as providing parts and services, was based on Station Crescent – only metres away from the rail line and less than a minute away from the train station on foot.

The new interchange, which will be based next to Llandrindod Wells train station, will feature parking spaces for buses and coaches as well as parking for cars and bicycles.

Powys councillor Jon Williams, who is the Powys County Councillor for Llandrindod Wells, had previously said that he felt the new interchange would be good for the town.

He said: “I think the bus interchange will be a big asset to the town.

“People arriving by train will be able to switch to the buses there.

“There will be parking for cars as well as cycle parking and it will be a great transport hub for the town.”

Cllr Williams also said that demolishing the showroom would allow the council to do a land swap with Powys Health Board which has the Llandrindod Wells War Memorial Hospital across the road from the site on Temple Street.

Cllr Williams said: “Basically it (demolishing the showroom) will allow the council to do a land swap with Powys Health Board.

“The site (where Eric Evans Ltd was) will become parking for the health board and the bus interchange will be build next to the railway station.”

Previous owner Ann Evans said she was “delighted” with the plans following the sale to Powys Council in November last year.

She said: “I’m delighted for the plans for the bus interchange – it’s what the town needs.

“We had a tremendous time building up the car business and obviously it will be sad to see the building demolished but never lasts forever.”

Mrs Evans had also described the amount of work that her and her husband Evan had put into the business which they had built up from scratch.

The couple said they had received several offers for the showroom site, however Mrs Evans said they both felt Powys Council’s offer was the best one.

Powys councillor Gary Price has complained about the development as he says that local councillors and the public were not notified that the demolition works were starting and that the demolition had gone against the council’s own planning conditions.

The Llandrindod Wells North councillor also claimed that Powys County Council have a condition within its planning consent that doesn’t allow works to take place on Sundays.

Cllr Price, who is also a member of Llandrindod Wells Town Council, said: “I’m extremely disgusted with this latest attempt by Powys County Council in bringing a historic building to the ground without the courtesy to inform local councillors and member of the public that demolition works were starting.

“Powys County Council are also condoning the contractors to undertake demolition works contrary to a condition within its own planning consent and therefore acting wholly irresponsible.

“I have written to the Planning Department to notify them and I expect swift action.”

However a spokesman from Powys council said the member that has the interchange within their ward, cllr Jon Williams, had been informed of the demolition works starting.

The deputy leader and cabinet member for transport, cllr Aled Davies responded to cllr Price about the alleged condition breach.

He said: “The former garage is next to the railway line so any demolition works needed the approval of Network Rail.

“Given the high risk nature of the demolition, the requirements of Network Rail and to minimise the inconvenience to motorists and members of the public, it was decided to carry out these works on a Sunday.

“If either the car park had been full or trains were running, this work would not be able to take place.”