11 Application No C21/1010/32/LL Caerau, Llangwnnadl, Pwllheli, LL53 8NS PDF 44 KB
Conversion of outbuilding
to provide an affordable dwelling, together with alterations
to existing vehicular access, installation of a package treatment plant and associated works
LOCAL MEMBER:
Councillor Gareth Williams
Link to relevant background documents
Additional documents:
Decision:
DECISION: To approve subject to
receiving a further report on the affordability of the house
Minutes:
Conversion of outbuilding to provide
an affordable dwelling, together with alterations to existing vehicular access,
installation of a package treatment plant and associated works.
a)
The
Development Control Team Leader highlighted that this was an application to
covert an existing outbuilding (formerly a dwelling house) into an affordable
house with two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen diner and creating a
garden near the building. It was explained that it was proposed to retain the
main structure of the building but to demolish the walls of the associated
outbuildings and erect single-storey extensions on the side and rear of the
main structure. It was reported that the site was in a rural area (far from any
development boundary defined by the LDP), within a Special Landscape Area and
the Llŷn and Bardsey Island Landscape of
Outstanding Historical Interest, and partly within the Caerau
Regional Wildlife Site.
The application was
submitted to the Committee at the local member’s request.
The officer elaborated
that the site was outside any development boundary as identified under policy
PCYFF 1 of the LDP where it is noted, outside development boundaries, that the
proposals will be refused unless they are in accordance with the specific
policy in the Plan. In this case, although the proposal was to convert an
existing outbuilding, there was doubt whether this structure could be
considered as a "building" rather than the ruin of a former dwelling.
It was highlighted that
a structural report had been submitted as part of the application, alleging
that the existing walls were structurally sound and suitable to be retained
without the need for significant rebuilding, and it is also noted that it would
not be necessary to rebuild more than 10% of the area of the original walls. In
assessing the report, it was reported that considerable doubt remained
regarding the suitability of the building's structure for conversion or whether
the work associated with the development would equate to erecting a new house
in the countryside, contrary to the requirements of policy PCYFF 1 of the LDP.
On the grounds of the
assessment, even should it be accepted that the traditional building in the
countryside was suitable for conversion into a dwelling house, it was not
considered that the proposal complied with one of the specific criteria for
such developments as listed in policy TAI 7 of the LDP. Although it was
acknowledged that the applicant needed an affordable house and that the general
design of the building was of good quality, due to the rural location, the
derelict nature of the existing site and the number of changes intended to be
done to the structure, there was no choice but to recommend refusing the
application.
b)
Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant noted the
following observations:
·
That she wished to continue to live in Llangwnnadl
but that house prices in the local area and vicinity were far beyond her reach.
· That there was no affordable house in her home area ... view the full minutes text for item 11