Homes plan submitted for land near historic castle in Montgomery

The application explains that the land for the site is owned by Powis Estates, but is currently leased to tenants.

It adds that it is earmarked in the local plan for housing.

The proposal is for a mix of semi-detached and detached houses, including allocated off-street parking with garages to several dwellings.

The application states that each home would have a "secure garden with private access that makes use of the existing mature hedgerows to the site boundaries".

But, the design and access statement submitted with the plans concedes that there are concerns about how the plans would impact on the 'significant heritage asset' of Montgomery Castle.

The site is overlooked by the castle - which is Grade I listed.

The report details how the plans will need to take the impact on the castle and the historic landscape into account.

An assessment commissioned by the applicant states the visual impact of the development on people visiting the castle would be 'moderate' and 'not significant'.

A separate report from HCUK Group examining the impact of development on the historic landscape is also included with the application.

The report, which was commissioned by the Lymore Estate warns that development in the area could have a 'severe' impact on the historic landscape, adding: "This could be a constraint to development."

The design and access statement, from Hughes Architects also talks about the importance of the visual effect of the development.

It states: "The site will need to be visually appealing from a variety of distances and aspects.

"Close up, as the entrance to the town from the north, from further afield and from an elevated view at Montgomery Castle.

"The topography of the site lends itself to a development that will gradually reveal itself as you approach it from each road rather than being entirely apparent from every vista."

A decision on the plans will be taken at a later date.

The origins of Montgomery Castle date back to the 1200s, with the site's final use coming during the Civil War.

It was demolished in 1649 after it was taken by the Parliamentarians.

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