PLANS to change the use of a property in the Towy Valley have been refused.

Plans were submitted by Nigel Williams of Nigel Williams Pharmacy for 141 Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo.

The plans were to carry out general refurbishment to the ground floor entrance of the building, which is currently an entrance lobby, change the use of the first floor from A3 to B1 which is currently a dining room and toilets and would be changed to a business and change the use of the second floor from B1 to C3(a) which is currently offices to a flat.

On September 8, Carmarthenshire County Council refused the application stating that it lies within the catchment area for the River Towy which is a designated Special Area of Conservation and that all new developments within the catchment area must demonstrate phosphate neutrality or betterment in its design and/or its contribution to the water body.

The refusal states that the proposal is in a sewered area where the relevant waste water treatment works has no arrangements in place to remove phosphates prior to its discharge into the river, with the council stating that it is not currently possible to conclude that the proposed development will not have an adverse impact on the water quality in the conservation area and there is a lack of information to inform an appropriate assessment.

It was also refused because there was no legal agreement or unilateral undertaking provided to secure the required financial contribution towards the provision of affordable housing.