A former outdoor pursuits centre near Llanidloes has been sold by Powys County Council.

If in the near future the site is sold on by the new owner, the council could take away 50 per cent of any increase in its value.

Under delegated powers, on Friday, 17 April, Powys council agreed to sell the former Staylittle outdoor pursuits centre to an undisclosed buyer.

The details of the decision jointly taken by finance portfolio holder Cllr Aled Davies and young people and culture portfolio holder Cllr Rachel Powell is being kept confidential.

The report explained: “That the freehold of the former outdoor pursuit centre at Staylittle is transferred to bidder A.

“That the transfer limits the use of the property to those which fall into the same ’use class’ as the current outdoor pursuits centre.

“That the transfer is subject to provisions, whereby the council will receive 50 per cent of any increase in value from the purchaser should any part of the site be sold within the first five years.”

The report also explains that the reasons behind the decision include making sure the council receives a “capital receipt” from the sale, as well as removing a “liability” off the council books.

The report adds that the council expects the buyer to “commit” to re-establishing the outdoor pursuits centre.

The announcement of the centre’s impending closure in late 2017 galvanised a campaign, including a petition of more than 5,000 signatures objecting to closing it down.

It was Powys council’s last outdoor education centre, but the Freedom Leisure-run facility closed in April 2018 to make annual savings of £130,000 after attempts to find an alternative operator failed.

The outdoor pursuits centre which overlooked Llyn Clywedog, was one of several Powys council properties auctioned by Brightwells at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells on 31 October, 2019.

The bidding for Staylittle was expected to start at £230,000.

In August 2019, a planning application to convert the staff accommodation building into a home was withdrawn.