This building in High Street could benefit from the regeneration scheme

Powys council agreed to develop the strategy for Llandrindod Wells at a meeting on Tuesday.

The plan should strengthen the town's bid to access �675,000 towards a �1.5m scheme to renovate derelict buildings in the town.

The move follows a request by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a regeneration strategy to be developed for the Llandrindod Wells area before any decision on funding could be made.

There are many buildings in High Street that are derelict that need a lot of work on them Michiel Blees, town co-ordinator

The decision on the town's bid for grant aid is expected this September.

With a population of 5,000, Llandrindod Wells' candidacy for regeneration is based on its under-utilised potential as a centre for tourism, leisure and business.

Greatest asset

The town's greatest asset is its status as a spa town, but this identity is based on its historic rather than its current status.

Michiel Blees is the town co-ordinator of the Llandrindod Action team, whose original action plan served as a blueprint of the strategy taken on by the local authority.

"There are many buildings in High Street that are derelict that need a lot of work on them, said Mr Blees.

"It is relatively easy to ask owners of buildings in the town centre to match fund �5,000 to improve their buildings but much more difficult to ask them to provide �50,000," he added.

"Consequently this bid to access funds for the whole of Llandrindod Wells will enable us to look at the whole structure of the town."

The town could benefit from schemes such as this one in Middleton Street

Mr Blees stressed that although working on the fabric of the buildings is important it is vital that an use is found for them once they are renovated.

"I believe that this is the first time that the overall structure of a town has been considered in Powys," he added.

"Although there has already been some improvement work done at Station Crescent and Middleton Street the regeneration process needs to include the rest of the town."

Any money provided by the HLF would be supported by a wider programme of regenerative projects.

These include establishing the identity of the town as a modern health and beauty spa and develop the town's role as a tourism hub for exploring mid Wales.

Another scheme - setting up a farmers' market in the town - was launched successfully two weeks ago.

"The farmers' market was hugely successful and proves that good ideas do work," said Chris Hamer, chair of the town's Chamber of Trade.

"Some buildings have been left to decay and it is important that we can collect grants to improve the townscape to make Llandrindod Wells more attractive.

"For example an area like High Street could be developed along similar lines to The Shambles in York."

A steering group consisting of county council officers and members, the Welsh Development Agency, Llandrindod Wells Town Council, the town's action team, and Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments will now carry the scheme forward.