A PLAN to sustain and promote the Welsh language as part of a new housing development in Machynlleth has been welcomed by a Dyfi Valley councillor.

For the first time the plan to build 11 flats on Heol Maengwyn, the site of a former agricultural feed company depot, has incorporated a “Language Impact Assessment” as part of the planning process, which will require developer Mid Wales Housing to show that steps are being taken to promote the language as part of the process.

Plaid Cymru Cllr, Elwyn Vaughan, said the move showed the “long term commitment” of the council towards the development of Welsh in Powys.

“Machynlleth has been acknowledged as a key area for the Welsh language within the Powys Local Development Plan.

“It is a requirement by that plan that housing developments in those communities take practical steps to protect, promote and expand the Welsh language and therefore I welcome the work that Mid Wales Housing will be undertaking,” he said.

“This is the first time this is happening in Powys and hopefully shows the long term commitment of the council to secure the sustainable role of the language and culture as an integral part of the area.

“I look forward to to seeing this innovative action in Machynlleth being used as a template for future developments.”

In Machynlleth 65.6 per cent of the population was born in Wales, and 66.7 per cent can communicate in some way in Welsh.

Planning agent George and Tomos says the figures shows that people who move to the area learn the language.

“Machynlleth is one of the few places that has an increase between birth and actual Welsh speakers – a positive effect on the language,” they say in the impact assessment, filed as part of the planning application.

“This is down to the community where integration is easy and inclusive with ample opportunity to learn the language in a choice of ways, classes, local groups, or simply speaking, where the language is used commonly and more regularly than other parts of Wales.”