PLANS have been drawn up for a 63 bed hotel and drive-thru coffee shop on the outskirts of Welshpool.

A proposal has been submitted to Powys County Council seeking to transform land at Moors Farm, close to the Buttington roundabout, into a mixed retail development, including the hotel and coffee shop drive-thru which, as is suggested by the applicant, could be a Gregg's.

The application, submitted by Mark Schweiger of KIM Property Investments Ltd, states it will provide an ideal resting place for travellers to and from Wales and a facility for local people to enjoy by dining out.

This latest application comes at a time when other fast food developments are being plotted for land near the roundabout which links the A483 and A458, with the applicants stating this would 'boost the economy'.

In February Powys Council planners approved plans for fast food outlet on land at Rhallt View and Tan yr Allt View, near the Buttington roundabout and Livestock Market.

And McDonald’s has also submitted a planning application for a restaurant on the other side of the roundabout.

In the Design and Access Statement, it says: "Currently Moors Farm has planning permission for use as an establishment for rear breeds and thus there are many out-buildings used for this commercial purpose together with amenities such as car parking and public toilets. The Farm House is currently used as a bed and breakfast facility and is constantly fully booked.

"The use of the site will change from outbuilding to a mixed use development of a new retail unit a drive-thru coffee shop and a new 63 bed hotel.

"The proposed plans show the proposed developments in relation to the site. Careful consideration has been taken into how the buildings are located so that it doesn’t have a detrimental impact on the existing residential dwelling that is to remain in place.

"Both the retail unit and the drive-thru coffee shop are small in scale to the wider site, they are situated away from the residential dwelling and also only single storey. The hotel has been located further down to ensure that the residential has minimal effect.

"The mixed-use development site has been designed to maximise visibility for the drive-thru facility, the retail unit and hotel. The layout of each of the developments have been carefully thought to maximise both vehicular and pedestrian access to promote potential customers using the canal path. The layout has also taken into consideration Lime Kiln cottage and been suitably placed away for the dwelling so they do not have a detrimental effect on it."

The statement adds: "The appearance of the commercial development is of modern construction methods and contemporary design, but the high-rise parts purposely incorporate low pitch and flat roofs to avoid over development.

"Access to the commercial development will be made from the existing Buttington cross island via Rhallt Lane. The proposed development intends to put in a new access point from Rhallt Lane, this new access point will be large enough to accommodate the levels of traffic that is to be accepted as well as HGV required to service the development.

"Moors Farm is ideally situated for a mixed-use development which will provide much needed facilities on the main trunk road linking England and Wales for local people and travellers alike. The development will provide employment and will boost the local economy in terms of tourism and services/supplies.

"A development like this is essential to the sustainable future of Welshpool and precedents have already been set for commercial and residential development in the vicinity."

The application will be considered by Powys Council planners at a later date.