Proposed masterplan comprising the demolition of 56 apartments, creation of new bases for the siting of static caravans, new team accommodation, new beach café including terrace and play area, new coastal defences, minor realignment of All Wales Coast Path as well as associated landscaping, drainage, access and infrastructure works (amended plans)

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Peter Read

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To defer the decision in order to undertake a site visit (subject to undertaking a risk assessment that would consider the appropriateness and safety measures in the context of Covid-19 guidelines)

Application NUMBER C19/1215/40/EIA Hafan y Môr Holiday Park, Pwllheli

Proposed master-plan comprising the demolition of 56 apartments, creation of new bases for the siting of static caravans, new team accommodation, new beach café including terrace and play area, new coastal defences, minor realignment of All Wales Coast Path as well as associated landscaping, drainage, access and infrastructure works (amended plans)

Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

a)    The Planning Manager elaborated on the application's background. The development had been divided into parcels:

·      Parcel B - Siting of 27 static caravans.

·      Parcel E - Siting of three static caravans and construction of 2, two-storey buildings to provide staff accommodation.

·      Parcel F - Demolition of 4 apartment blocks (56 apartments / 272 guest spaces) and siting of 26 static caravans.

·      Parcel G - Siting of 80 static caravans.

·      Parcel H - Redevelopment of the former sewage treatment plant and erection of a single-storey café with a terrace to the front and car park

·      Parcel I - Siting of 18 static caravans.

·      Parcel J - Coastal defence works that include work on 320m of the coastline. The proposal entails landward realignment of the coastline to create sand and gravel beaches in between four fish tail shaped rock-armour breakwaters.  Approximately 120m of the works will replace the existing linear rock coastal defences. The Wales Coastal Path was also to be re-aligned.

Due to the size of the site, the application was defined as a 'major development' and given the scheme comprised of several elements, they were all assessed separately.

Construction of single-storey café on the site's eastern boundary that would include car parking space, landscaping and planting work.

Given that the site was on land that formed part of the former sewage treatment plant, it was considered to be previously developed land. The use was also appropriate in the context of the site's wider use as a holiday park. Although there were larger buildings towards the centre of the holiday park, the structures seen along the coastline were mainly single-storey chalets and caravans.  It was highlighted that the scheme had originally consisted of a two-storey café building. Following discussions with officers, it had been agreed that the building should be single-storey and given the reduction in scale, the type and character of the building was now considered appropriate for its coastal setting.  It was considered that the design was of a high quality in terms of its design, layout and appearance and it would extend the range of facilities in the plan area. The proposal was supported by an Economic Statement which highlighted that the plan would ensure local employment opportunities.

It was reported that it was possible to access the site using public transport, cycling and walking with the site located directly adjacent to the Coast path - it was noted that the planning support statement confirmed that the Café was available to Coast Path users. It was considered that the proposal complied with the requirements of policies MAN 1, MAN  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6