Love was in the air at Ceredigion County Council last Wednesday, with a marriage proposal on the cards at a planning meeting.

Andrew Rowlands, of Glynarthen, said that if his application for an affordable home near Rhydlewis was granted, he would propose to his partner, Sophie. And luckily for him his application was granted – and Sophie accepted!

Mr Rowlands, who runs a trailer hire business, was addressing the local authority’s development control meeting when he made his remarkable pledge.

His application for a four-bedroom affordable home had been recommended for refusal due to its size, making it unsustainable as an affordable home.

However, Mr Rowlands urged councillors to approve his plan, saying he had spent a long time looking for a suitable alternative.

“In the five-minute address I gave I explained that we were local, I ran my own business and spoke a lot about the future,” he told the Cambrian News.

“I ended it by saying that if I was lucky enough to have my application granted I would be proposing to Sophie once I got home – I even got the ring out to show councillors! There was a fair bit of clapping and cheering and something of a standing ovation – I think it’s fair to say it’s not the type of thing that usually happens in the council chamber.

“Sophie and I have been together for almost four years and we’re delighted with the committee’s decision."