Issue - meetings

Change of use of vacant unit from an office B1 Use Class into a dental practice D1 Use Class (re-submission of application that was refused under ref. C20/0351/25/LL). 

LOCAL MEMBER:  Councillor Menna Baines

Link to relevant background documents

RESOLVED to approve the application contrary to the recommendation

Conditions:

1.            start work on the development within five years

2.            undertake the development in accordance with the submitted plans

condition to ensure that use of the building reverts to its original use if use as a dental surgery ceases in future

Change of use of vacant unit from an office from B1 Use Class into a D1 Use Class dental practice (re-submission of the application refused under reference number C20/0351/25/LL)

a)    The Planning Manager elaborated on the background of the application, noting that this was a resubmission of an application refused in June 2020 for the change of use of an office (B1 Use Class) to a dentist surgery (D1 Use Class) within an empty unit at Llys Castan, Parc Menai.

When considering the principle of the proposed use, it was highlighted that it should be ensured that the proposal complies with all the criteria in policy ISA 2 (community facilities) of the LDP. For the purposes of the policy, it was confirmed that community facilities include 'facilities used by local communities for health purposes...and any other facility that achieve the role of serving the community'.

It was reported that Policy PS13 and Policy CYF1 of the LDP note that the site and unit are protected for employment use in B1 Use Class. In accordance with Policy CYF5 (alternative uses of existing Employment Sites), it was reported that proposals to release land in B1, B2 or B8 Use Class on existing protected employment sites for alternative use will only be approved in special circumstances and only where one or more of the policy's criteria can be met:

·           "In the case that the site is vacant, is unlikely to be used in the short and medium term for original use or safeguarding use, or;

·           There is an over provision of employment sites within the vicinity, or

·           The current employment use is having a detrimental effect on amenity and the
environment, or

·           The proposal would not have a detrimental effect on employment uses at adjacent sites, or

·           There is no other suitable alternative site for the proposed use, or

·           If the site is used for short-term use (temporary), that appropriate restoration measures are in place to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority."

It was highlighted that detailed and extensive information had been submitted by the applicant in support of the application, including a Planning Statement, as well as a Planning Statement from the agent, a Sequential Test Statement, along with the Sites' Accessibility Evidence Document, highlight the following observations:

·           The community of Penrhosgarnedd are closer to the application site than other dental practices in Bangor.

·           The community of Parc Menai is closer to the site than other dental practices in Bangor.

·           The staff/community of Ysbyty Gwynedd are closer to the application site than other dental practices in Bangor.

·           There is a regular bus service by various companies that serve other business in Parc Menai.

·           An existing cycle network as well as public footpaths serve Parc Menai.

·           The site is geographically accessible to local and regional users who use the A55.

·           It is noted that the vast majority of patients of the existing facility use a car (with a number of them being older patients where it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8