Issue - meetings

Alterations to access and install 1.8 meter high fence

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Rhys Tudur

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To approve with conditions

1.            In accordance with the plans submitted with the application.

2.            Work to be undertaken in accordance with access statement.

3.            Any vegetation /fence /wall within the visibility splays should be no higher than 1 metre.

4.            Work to be completed within three months of the date of this permission

Note - Welsh Water Letter 10/10/22, highways permit for work on highway verge

Amendments to access and erection of 1.8m fencing

a)    The Planning Manager highlighted that the application, which was part retrospective, involved amending an access and installing a high fence on the site in the countryside directly near a class 3 road which ran from Llanystumdwy to Rhoslan. It was noted that the aim was to create an access to the woodland that would measure approximately 24.5 metres wide and to install a gate 10 metres back from the highway. A 1.8m security fence would be erected between the gate and the visibility splays and vegetation would be cut back and maintained within the visibility splays to a height of less than 1 metre.

Although recognising the concerns of neighbours, the application in question did not involve any change to use/activities that would take place within the woodland itself. 

The application had been submitted to the Committee at the Local Member’s request.

Reference was made to the observations received from the Transportation Unit. It did not object to the proposal, however it was proposed that a condition be imposed to prevent the visibility splay from being affected. The condition would ensure that the maintenance work was completed in accordance with the plans and the access statement and that any vegetation and/or fence/wall within the visibility splays should be no higher than 1 metre. It was reiterated that it would be appropriate, under the circumstances of this application, to include a condition that work was to be completed within a specific timetable suggesting that 3 months was a reasonable period.

It was considered that the proposal complied with the requirements of the relevant policies.

b)    It was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

c)     In response to the Community Council's objection that the fence was too high, it was noted that there was no reasoning behind the height of the fence, but that the height assisted in holding back the vegetation. It was reiterated that the fence did not enclose the entire site and was not intended to keep livestock. Therefore, there was no justification for the height.

RESOLVED: To approve with conditions

1.         In accordance with the plans submitted with the application.

2.         Work to be undertaken in accordance with access statement.

3.         Any vegetation/fence/wall within the visibility splays should be no higher than 1 metre.

4.         Work to be completed within three months of the date of this permission.

Note - Welsh Water Letter 10/10/22, highways permit for work on highway verge