Proposals that could see Machynlleth’s Plas Kennels brought back into use as possible hostel accommodation have been winning praise from funding organisations, town councillors have heard.

Cllr Simon Morpeth and Cllr Andy Tack have been working on funding applications that could see grants provided toward investigating the proposal with funding already announced for a feasibility study.

Since then Cllr Morpeth said they had given presentations to agencies, including the Architectural Heritage Fund, which is currently assessing the proposal after requesting more information.

But while the fund had asked for more information, Cllr Morpeth said the response to the proposal, that would see the dilapidated building renovated and potentially used to provide accommodation for walkers, had been positive.

He said: “We’re optimistic that by the end of February we’ll have some money from them. It’s not certain but we’re optimistic.”

Cllr Morpeth said other organisations had also praised the quality of the work put into the presentation and proposals and had encouraged the council to make applications for funding to help with plans and proposals for the project.

He said that could provide funding that would allow the town council to fund a detailed consultation with town residents.

Cllr Morpeth said: “The beauty of this is that even if this doesn’t go ahead, we’ll have had the money to really do some solid work with the community about what they want.”

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