Demolition of existing stables and erection of new stables along with the
erection of an indoor riding school building, manège and associated
infrastructure (including relocating the access and parking arrangements)
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Gareth Griffith
Decision:
DECISION
To delegate powers to the Assistant Head of the Environment Department
to approve the application, subject to the following conditions:-
Conditions
1. 5 years
2. In accordance with the plans
3. Landscaping matters
4. Submission of a lighting plan for the buildings and the exterior areas, including their type and the time when they will be on
5. Comply with the mitigation measures recommendations of the Ecological Report
6. Present archaeological mitigation measures
7. Present the details of the bilingual signs within the site
8.
Parking spaces to be completed before the
development is used for any purpose
A note drawing the applicant’s
attention to the requirements of the Sustainable Drainage System (SuUDS)
Minutes:
The Planning Manager elaborated on the application's background and
noted that this was a full application to demolish the existing stables and to
erect new stables in their place along with erecting of an indoor riding school
building, riding manège and associated infrastructure
on a site near the banks of the Menai Straits at
Llanfair Is Gaer which lies to the north of
Caernarfon and south of Felinheli near Plas Menai.
It was noted that
the report was extensive and the application was defined as a 'major'
development. It was
added that the applicant's agent had taken the relevant measures to
submit the application. It was reported that the principle of the development was based
on Policy PCYFF 1 and CYF6 of the Local Development Plan and these had been
discussed in detail within the report.
It was explained that the site was located within a site that
is sensitive in terms of the landscape, with statutory designations located
near the site itself. It was noted that this
sensitivity had been acknowledged in the Visual and Landscape Impact Assessment
document submitted by the applicant to support this application, with the
document recommending mitigation measures to reduce the impact of the
development on the landscape. The assessment discussed the setting, size and
scale, design and appearance of the proposal with every effort made by the
applicant to mitigate the visual impact. Therefore, the proposal was considered
to be acceptable on the grounds of its impact within
the landscape and on nearby statutory landscape and historic designations and
it was a full assessment.
In the context of
general and residential amenities, it was highlighted
that apart from the applicant's property, nearby residential dwellings were
located approximately 150m east of the site, including Plas
Menai. Therefore, it was considered
that there would be no detrimental impact on the property's amenities or to
visitors to Plas Menai. As part of the statutory consultation
the Transportation Department had been consulted and confirmation was received
that they had no objection to the proposal subject to the inclusion of relevant
conditions and planning notes.
Attention was drawn to sustainability and linguistic matters and the
applicant had submitted information regarding signage and local employment
together with the economic benefits. It
was added that biodiversity and archaeological matters were
also acceptable.
As a result, it was considered that the proposal was in accordance with
local and national policies, and there were no other material planning
considerations that outweighed policy considerations. The proposal was
considered to be acceptable subject to the inclusion
of conditions.
a)
Taking advantage of the right to speak, the
applicant noted the following points:-
·
The children had shown great interest in show-jumping and competed at a national level with the Welsh
Teams, together with others from Gwynedd who compete at a high level.
·
There was nowhere purposeful to practice or compete
and therefore they had to travel at least two hours to reach such a centre
·
It was proposed that the building would be sunk into
the ground, which would reduce the impact on the landscape and the environment
·
The location was close to the A55 and there was a
convenient access
·
During this pandemic, mental health was a big problem
and therefore sport was important for all ages
·
The proposal would have a positive impact on the
community
b)
Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Local
Member made the following points:-
·
He was supportive of the application.
·
He had visited the site and had an opportunity to
discuss the proposal with the applicant and the agent
·
It was proposed to add to and improve the resources
that are already on the site together with improving resources for the
community
·
There was no similar site in north Wales - you would
have to travel to Cheshire
·
The Community Council had been concerned about the
noise element - Plas Menai,
located near the cemetery, was open throughout the year, seven days a week -
the applicant lived near the site and was therefore unlikely to want any
surrounding noise
·
She already employed three persons - and intended to
employ six if the application was approved
·
The proposal was situated on the outskirts of the
village
c)
It was proposed and seconded to approve the
application.
ch) During the ensuing discussion members made
the following main observations:
·
It was a detailed, large plan responding to the need
and was to be welcomed
·
It was a suitable and convenient site to the A55
·
It was a quality improvement plan to demolish and
build a new riding school and stables
·
The site was extensively screened and blended
naturally into the environment
·
Horses gave pleasure to many and there was an increase
in demand
·
With the increase in pony-trekking / horse-riding,
training was essential
·
Horse-riding therapy was important for the disabled -
no such facility existed locally
·
Welcomed the fact that a local person was willing to
undertake this enterprise
·
It was disappointing that Glynllifon
had ended the equine studies course
·
There was a lack of quality facilities for any type of
elite sports in north Wales
RESOLVED:
To delegate powers to the Assistant Head of the Environment Department to
approve the application, subject to the following conditions:-
Conditions
1. Five years.
2. In accordance with the plans.
3. Landscaping matters.
4. Submission
of a lighting plan for the buildings and the exterior areas, including their
type and the time when they will be on.
5. Comply with the mitigation measures of
the Initial Ecological Report.
6. Present archaeological mitigation
measures.
7. Present the details of the bilingual
signs within the site.
8. Parking spaces to be completed before the development is
used for any purpose.
A
note drawing the applicant’s attention to the Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS).
Supporting documents: