Issue - meetings

Erection of a building to provide 12 no. supported living residential flats, ground floor office space and associated development including car park to the rear.

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Steve Collings

Link to relevant background papers

DECISION: To delegate the right for the Assistant Head of the Environment Department to approve the application, subject to the following conditions:-

1.    Five years.

2.    In accordance with the plans/documents submitted with the application.

3.    Samples of materials and colours for the building to be agreed with the LPA.

4.    Highways conditions.

5.    Development to be undertaken in accordance with the recommendations in the Walking Ecological Survey and Desk-top Study.

6.    Working hours limited to 8:00 - 18:00 during the week, 08:00 - 13:00 on a Saturday and no working at all on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

7.    Submission of a Construction Method Statement to be agreed with the LPA.

8.    Agree on details regarding Welsh names for the development together with advertising signage informing and promoting the development within and outside the site.

9.    Ensure a plan/arrangements to provide the affordable units.  

10.  Condition to submit an Archaeological Programme to be agreed with the LPA.

Note: Refer the applicant to Welsh Water advice.

Note: Sustainable Drainage Systems requirements.

Construction of a building to provide 12 supported living flats, offices on the ground floor together with associated developments to include parking spaces in the back. 

Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

a)            The Planning Manager elaborated on the background of the application noting that it was a full application submitted by a registered social landlord to provide 12 affordable flats. The proposal would provide living support in self-contained residential units to those who were homeless and needed some support as they transferred to an affordable dwelling.  It was noted that the site was located on the upper part of the High Street in Bangor city centre.

It was reported that Policy TAI1 stated that in the Sub-regional Centre of Bangor and the Urban Service Centres, housing to meet the Plan's strategy would be delivered through housing allocations together with suitable windfall sites within the development boundary. The Bangor indicative supply level over the term of the Local Development Plan was 969 units and during the period between 2011 and 2020, a total of 643 units had been completed. It was added that the windfall land bank in April, 2020 included 131 units with further planning consent for 70 units on designated sites. It was highlighted that the LDP noted an indicative figure of 115 houses on two further sites that had now been designated for housing in Bangor but had not received planning permission.  Considering the figures, approving the application would mean exceeding the indicative supply for residential developments in Bangor.

As a result, the applicant, in accordance with the requirements of the LDP, submitted a Housing Demand Statement and an Affordable Housing Statement undoubtedly confirming that there was a dire and essential need for this type of accommodation, not only in Bangor but throughout the whole of Gwynedd.  Statistics confirmed that one and two bedroom residential units (flats especially) were required mainly.  Including an office within the development would be essential to manage and administer and offer support with care and housing needs. It was added that the project had received a Clause 2 Homelessness grant from the Welsh Government. Consequently, it was considered that the proposal responded to a recognised need and provided an appropriate mix of units which was an opportunity to develop a high quality scheme in accordance with the requirements of Policy TAI8 and TAI15 of the LDP, along with the advice included in the SPG: Housing Mix and Affordable Housing. 

Along with the statements, a letter was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property stating that the development was an essential development that would be a positive step to respond to the homelessness crisis in Gwynedd and Bangor. It was expressed that it would be a means of providing more suitable homes to be able to offer accommodation of an acceptable standard to those in Gwynedd Council's care. A letter of support was also submitted by the Council's Head of Housing and Property stating the importance of dealing immediately  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10