A couple hoping to prepare for their future with a more accessible home were granted planning permission despite an officer’s warning it was against policy.

Ceredigion County Council’s development control committee approved a plan for an open market home on the edge of Llanilar, near Aberystwyth, at its meeting on 10 July.

It had been recommended for refusal by officers because it was outside the settlement boundary – with the nearest property 25 metres away – as well as concerns it would constitute “ribbon development.”

The applicant, Morlais Hughes of Cardi Homes, a well-known local building company, intends to build a three-bedroom bungalow and garage on the land, which is near one of his children.

The committee were told that the family had lived in the area all their lives, and their current home for 40 years, but as Mr and Mrs Hughes got older they had concerns about the lack of public transport and road conditions during winter.

There was support from councillors for the application, with a number arguing it was part of the settlement of Llanilar.

“It’s responding to the needs of a local family that have done a lot for the local community. It’s close enough to the village,” said Cllr Wyn Thomas.

However, corporate lead officer for economy and regeneration Russell Hughes-Pickering said he had “not heard anything that justifies going away from policy.”

He reminded members that the Local Development Plan policies were set and agreed by council and it was the current review of the plan that would change boundaries not individual planning applications.

The committee voted in favour of the plan, and accepted the offer of a 10 per cent Section 106 contribution, because they felt there was some flexibility due to the site’s proximity to the settlement boundary.

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