A cafe and shop have been dropped from plans for a new electric vehicle charging station in northern Powys, with a drive-through in its place.

An outline planning application has now been lodged with Powys Council's planners for the new charging station on the outskirts of Four Crosses near Llanymynech.

The application has been submitted by Mr Pryce to build a 360 square metre charging station at farmland near near the roundabout with the A483 main road.

But it will not include a cafe and shop after local people objected to those proposals during a pre-application consultation period in February and March.

Agent Richard Corbett of Roger Parry and Partners said: “The consultation received comments from the community and businesses that a proposed shop and café would deter visitors and locals from the already existing shops.

“In light of these comments we have revised the application and decided a drive-through would be better suited to the site.

Border Counties Advertizer: The proposed site. Pic: Google Streetview.The proposed site. Pic: Google Streetview.

“At this time only the principle of a parking area along with a drive-through is being sought.”

The number of car parking spaces that would be created is also currently unknown.

The site is intended to support the UK Government policy to stop the sale of new combustion engine vehicles from 2030.

Mr Corbett added: “The proposal is to be situated in close proximity of the development boundary and can use the existing access to the A483.

“The location of the proposed site has been carefully considered in that the nature of the proposal requires good transport connectivity.”

As electric vehicle charging takes much longer than filling a tank with petrol or diesel, the proposal believes that drivers would need workspace facilities and internet connection to allow people to work while charging takes place.

Mr Corbett added: “Research shows that UK drivers lack confidence in electric cars due to the lack of charging facilities, people surveyed they would purchase an electric car if there were more charging points across the country and they were able to access wi-fi and refreshments while their cars charged.”

The site would be situated nearly halfway between Oswestry and Welshpool where the closest charging points are.

Mr Corbett said: “These sites only have a couple of charging point and no option of a drive through or workspace to wait while users charge their vehicles, this clearly show the lack of availability of this use in the area.”

The application will be decided at a future date by Powys County Council.