Ambitious £1.1 million Newtown project takes a step forward

Two years since the 'open spaces' project began, considerable progress has now been made in attempts to transfer 116 acres of land from Powys County Council control, and into the control of Newtown Town Council.

After months of negotiations a meeting was held recently to thrash out the final pieces of land agreed in the transfer.

Former mayor and current town councillor Richard Edwards is a leading figure behind the project, which includes over 30 organisations.

He is delighted the exact land that will be transferred has been agreed and the group can now push on with their big £1.1 million lottery bid.

He said: "Last time we were unsure about what land was going to be transferred.

"But after discussions have taken place and a meeting with the portfolio holder has been held we have managed to agree on the land.

"There are still a couple of acres that need ironing out but that will be done.

"All we have to wait for then is the go-ahead from the cabinet at their meeting in mid September and we can press ahead with the lottery bid."

With a £47,500 lottery grant and £30,000 from the town council a 'huge' amount of work in preparation for the next steps.

Within the project there are smaller ventures alongside bigger ones on bigger areas of land.

The football pitches near to the River Severn that runs through the town will handed over to the town council.

Also land behind Newtown Football Club's Latham Park ground is earmarked to be turned into a car park and service hub.

Councillor Edwards said it is a big project that would have storage units for organisations and people using the river, and would be a valuable asset.

He added: "Some of the early plans we have is for a destination play park in the park near the river.

"When we get the money for that work will begin straight away and would be completed by the end of 2018.

"There are a lot of smaller and larger projects to be done.

"One bigger one is on land behind the football club.

"The plans for that would see it turned into a service hub with a lot of storage space and other things could also take place there.

"Planning permission is still in and there are just a whole host of other projects that will hopefully happen once the land is signed off."

Following the cabinet meeting, the lottery bid will go in and the project is expecting a response by early 2018.

It is now the end of the beginning according to councillor Edwards, as they move out of the planning stage.

He added that the project is huge for the town.

He said: "A huge amount of work has gone into the project both paid and volunteer.

"It is a five year project and if successful will only lead to more money being gained for future projects.

"It is huge, massive for the town and is going to re-generate and really boost the economy."