Issue - meetings

Full planning application for the erection of 30 affordable dwellings with a new access, internal access road and associated works.

LOCAL MEMBERS: Councillor Sasha Williams and Councillor Iwan Huws

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To delegate powers to the Head of Environment Department to approve the application, subject to ensuring an acceptable solution regarding archaeological matters and a 106 agreement for a play area and educational contribution and conditions relating to the following:

·         Commence within five years

·         Development to comply with the approved plans

·         Must submit and agree on a programme for providing affordable housing

·         Must agree on external materials including the roofing slates

·         Removal of permitted development rights

·         Welsh Water Condition

·         Highways Conditions

·         Biodiversity conditions

·         Need to submit an Environmental Management Plan prior to commencing work on the development

·         A Welsh name for the housing estate and individual houses.

·         Restrict the use to C3 use class only

·         Archaeology conditions

Note – Welsh Water

                        Land Drainage Unit

                        Transportation Unit

                        Major development

Full planning application to erect 30 affordable dwellings with a new access, internal access road and associated works.

Attention was drawn to the late observations form that proposed additional information regarding Educational Contribution matters, Linguistic Matters, Biodiversity, Trees, and Archaeology matters.

a)         The Development Control Team Leader highlighted, that it was a full application to erect 30 affordable dwellings with associated works on the site designated under T57 as a site for housing within the Bethel Service Village development boundary as defined by the Local Development Plan (LDP). It was explained that the site was located within the Dinorwig Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and abutted the Pen-yr-Orsedd designated Wildlife Site which was distinctive for its acidic grassland, marshy grassland, and acid/neutral wetland. The proposal included erecting the houses, providing new access to the B4366 (which is a class 2 road), creating an internal access road, landscaped areas and associated drainage work; the proposal would include a housing mix:

·         3 two-bedroom bungalows

·         1 three-bedroom wheelchair-accessible bungalow

·         8 two-bedroom houses

·         12 three-bedroom houses

·         2 four-bedroom houses

·         4 one-bedroom flats

In the context of the development’s principle, it was noted, in accordance with Policy PCYFF 1 ('Development Boundaries') that proposals would be approved within development boundaries in accordance with the other policies and proposals in the Plan, national planning policies and other material planning considerations.  It was highlighted that Bethel, in the LDP, was identified as a Service Village under policy TAI 4 which supported housing to meet the Plan's strategy through housing allocations and suitable unallocated sites within the development boundary based on the indicative provision within the Policy.

It was reported, in accordance with Policy TAI 8, that consideration should be given to the proposed development and whether it met the demand for housing recorded in a Market Housing Assessment and other relevant local sources of evidence. It was noted that a Housing Mix Statement was submitted with the application noting the reasoning behind the housing mix proposed, and confirmation was received from the Housing Strategic Unit confirming that the development met the recognised local community needs. It was reiterated that Policy TAI 15 of the LDP stated that Councils would attempt to ensure an appropriate level of affordable houses in the plan area. In Bethel, the threshold was two or more housing units, but as the proposal prepared 100% affordable units and that the Housing Strategic Unit confirmed that the proposal met the need in the area, the application satisfied policy TAI 15. As a result, it was considered that there was justification and need for the proposal and that it would address the needs of the local community and realise the objectives of the LDP housing policies.

In the context of the location, design and visual impact of the proposal, it was noted that it would form a logical extension to the village, and that the layout, design and materials of the proposed development would be in-keeping with the location in an appropriate way. It was considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6