FINAL PROPOSALS

Community No. M46 - TREGYNON

Introduction

1. The present community of Tregynon derives from the historical parish of the same name. The community lies in the Montgomeryshire hill country in a landscape that is defined by the upper reaches of the Bechan brook. This rises near Llyn Gwgia, in the shadows of Mynydd Clogau, Bryn y Fawnog and Celynog Hill and is swelled by numerous small tributaries that serve to widen its valley before it leaves this community to enter the neighbouring community of Bettws. The largest settlement in the community is the key settlement of Tregynon, a relatively large village with an important range of community services and facilities including a new area school. The settlement has seen considerable development in recent years and has the capacity to accommodate additional development. The remainder of the population lives in scattered farms and dwellings.

2. The community has a population of 616, an electorate of 573 (2005) and a council of 7 members. The precept required for 2005 is £8,798, representing a Council Tax Band D equivalent of £28.03.

3. In the 1986 Review, this community was considered too small to be viable, and there were proposals for amalgamation in this area, with the proposal that initially found favour with the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales being a merger of Tregynon and Betws Cedewain. There was strong opposition to this proposal from the affected community councils, and, following a public Local Inquiry on 20 September 1978 at Tregynon, the Commission stated: "In view of the strength of public opinion, we recommend that… the Community of Tregynon… should remain as a separate community. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that Tregynon, Manafon, Bettws and Aberhafesp will in the near future, see an increase in development in their communities as a consequence of the growth of Newtown, with people moving from the town to the rural villages". The 1986 Review did, however, make a number of small modifications to the boundary of Tregynon, with small transfers at Bryn y Fawnog to the neighbouring Aberhafesp community and at Cefngwernfa and Rock to the neighbouring Berriew community.

Summary of representations received prior to preparation of Draft Proposals

4. A submission form has been received from Tregynon Community Council, proposing to increase the number of councillors on this council to nine because of the increase in population.

Assessment

5. The electorate of Tregynon has increased from 300 in 1980 to 573 in 2005. Four sites have been allocated for development in the key settlement of Tregynon in the

Final Proposals – Montgomeryshire – Community M$5eyzi3vg.doc Unitary Development Plan, and it is estimated that 97 dwellings would be an appropriate level of growth for the village in the Plan period. There may be other opportunities for infill development and for affordable housing development adjacent to the settlement development boundaries here. It is our assessment that much of this development is already completed and has had its impact on the electorate. Even so, we consider that some 20 dwellings are still likely to be added to the settlement in the Plan period. There may also be opportunities for a limited number of dwellings in the open countryside in accordance with Policy HP6 of the Plan, and for conversions in accordance with Policy GP6 of the Plan. We note that this community's electorate is, therefore, likely to pass 600 electors in the foreseeable future, suggesting an entitlement in accordance with Table 7 - Guide to Allocation of Councillors to Community Councils to nine councillors.

Draft Proposals

6. We propose that there should be a Community of Tregynon and that the community should have a council of nine members and that the community should not be warded.

(Ward) Electorate No of Councillors Electors per Councillor

573 9 64

Responses to the Council’s Draft Proposals

7. No comments or submissions were received on the Draft Proposals.

Final Proposals

8. We propose that there should be a Community of Tregynon and that the community should have a council of nine members and that the community should not be warded.

(Ward) Electorate No of Councillors Electors per Councillor

573 9 64

Final Proposals – Montgomeryshire – Community M$5eyzi3vg.doc