Presteigne residents to have say over former Kaye site plans
After lying derelict for almost 15 years, the former Kaye Presteigne site could be transformed into an area that would include 61 homes, a healthcare facility and a retail store.
A pre-application consultation exercise has been carried out by Shrewsbury-based property consultants Berrys, with an outline planning application expected to follow soon.
Presteigne county councillor Beverley Baynham says she has now met with both Berrys and the applicant, in order to stress the importance of any future development to the town and its residents.
A drop-in event has been scheduled to take place next Monday, June 16.
'Following the pre-planning consultation for the Kayes site I met with the applicant and the planning agent last week where I impressed on them the importance of the proposed development on the community,' Cllr Baynham said on her Facebook page on Tuesday.
'I am pleased to say they have agreed to hold a drop-in session on Monday 16th June from 3pm at (the) East Radnor Day Centre building on Scottleton Street.
'This is your opportunity to tell them what you would and would not like to see progress to a planning application.'
Kaye Presteigne made parts for car engines, including steering and braking mechanisms, before entering administration in 2010.
The foundry, which was known more fondly as Kaye Alloys or simply as 'The Factory', closed in April 2011, with the loss of 100 jobs; 80 per cent of the company's workforce were thought to have lived in Presteigne.
Kaye Presteigne was formed in 2006, saving more than 130 jobs, after the former owners J L French went into administration.
There has been a foundry in Presteigne since the 1940s and its closure in 2011 brought down the curtain on more than 60 years of it being one of the largest employers in the area.
Soon after, the buildings were demolished and the site has lain dormant ever since.
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Plans have been drawn up by Berrys on behalf of the site owners, Central & Country (Presteigne) Ltd.
'Whilst the site owners have sought to keep the site secure and tidy, the site is an eyesore, significantly detracting from Presteigne's townscape,' said Berrys, in a planning statement.
'As a consequence, while the site owners have sought to keep the site secure and tidy, the site can attract trespass, vandalism, fly tipping and other anti-social behaviour.'
It is envisaged that the proposed development will comprise of 61 houses in total, including 18 1-bed, 22 2-bed, 10 3-bed and 2 4-bed homes; and 3 1-bed, 5 2-bed and 1 3-bed bungalows, in addition to the healthcare and retail facilities.
'The initial application is an outline planning application, with all matters reserved aside from access in order to establish the principle of the proposed development,' continued the planning statement.
'A detailed scheme for the site, including layout, landscaping, detailed design and appearance has yet to be drawn up.'
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