Council debates Ty Isaf farmhouse plan near Pontyates. An affordable home plan, it faced challenges, but gained local support.
Council rules allow restoring old buildings. The original structure must be mostly intact. Only limited structural work should be needed. Planners said Ty Isaf didn’t meet that standard.
An engineer’s report called it a “ruin.” Still, the report said the remaining walls were sound. There was no subsidence, and repair seemed viable. Most of the planning committee agreed with that.
Mr. Jones wanted to renovate his family’s house. His family bought Ty Isaf in 1913. It had a blacksmith’s forge attached to it too. The family lived there until the 1980s.
Damp caused the house to deteriorate. Thieves stole the roof slate. The family removed the upper floors. This was due to falling bricks.
John Thomas called the house “an abandoned ruin.” He said the new house was too big, larger than affordable home guidelines allowed. Jones’ media work didn’t qualify it.
A local councillor, Meinir James, supported the plan. She said restoring the building was practical and matched the previous structure. The water bills were still being paid.
Western Power would reconnect the electricity for free. Jones would live there and help his parents. Locals supported the plan too. Jones wasn’t trying to profit from it.
Cllr Howell wanted to give a descendant a chance to return. He preferred someone local living there. Cllr Phillips felt the family lacked money to keep it up, but he thought renovation was possible too.
Cllr Williams wanted to approve the plan. He said disused buildings were an eyesore. Thieves targeted farmhouses for slate. Cllr Sparks agreed, citing the sound structure. One councillor opposed it.
Hugh Towns noted approval would break policy. They would need to advertise it first. Then the committee would issue a final decision. Jones needed to agree to an affordable housing clause. The vote supported the project overall.