Controversial plans to sell off part of Newtown High School’s playing fields for housing have been put on hold. Powys planners agreed yesterday to defer an application to build 12 homes on land off Plantation Lane.

The decision came after an impassioned plea by a councillor that it could leave the growing town with a shortage of recreation space.

Councillor Bob Mills, who stepped down from his role as chairman of the Powys Planning Committee so he could speak on the issue, said there was no shortage of land for homes in Newtown.

He said the application by DT Properties Ltd of Newtown for 0.273 hectares of high school land was not to do with a shortage of houses.

Mr Mills said: “It is to release capital to spend on the school. Too much building has gone on in Newtown already without looking at how it will affect the future infrastructure of the town.

“For example, the building of houses on the original bypass route has driven the cost of a bypass sky high and a long way out of town,” he claimed.

The land, which is next to the town’s Maldwyn Leisure Centre, would provide an opportunity for increased sporting facilities and, Mr Mills asked if an open space assessment had been done by officers recommending the application. “We don’t want to make a decision now that we will live to regret in the future,” he added.

Councillor Frank Torrens said: “I would like to defer this until we can look at it in further depth so we really know what we are getting into.”