Issue - meetings

Outline application with some matters reserved (appearance, landscaping) for the provision of 5 self-build plots for affordable dwellings.

Local Member: Councillor Gareth Williams

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: Defer in order to conduct a site visit and request more information from the applicant

Outline application with some reserved matters (appearance, landscaping) to create five self-build plots for affordable housing

a)    The Planning Manager highlighted, that an outline application was in question to consider the principle of the proposal, and details of the access, landscape and scale of the development. The appearance and landscape did not form part of the application.

It was explained that the existing site was open agricultural land with the surrounding boundaries in a mix of natural hedgerows, earth banks and post and wire fencing - the whole site was outside the existing development boundary of the village of Aberdaron and was therefore a site to be considered in open countryside, with parts of the site's southern boundary partially abutting the development boundary. It was reiterated that the site was within the Llŷn AONB and the Llŷn and Bardsey Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest designations.

⁠In terms of the development's principle, it was noted that Aberdaron had been defined as a rural / coastal village in the LDP with approximately 95 houses and some facilities within the development boundary - the latest housing figures showed that there was capacity within the Aberdaron supply level for a development of this scale.

With the site being outside the development boundary, it was highlighted that Policy TAI 16 was the relevant policy and consideration needed to be given to the acceptability of the site as an exception site. It was noted in the formal response given to the pre-application enquiry that evidence was needed in the form of a Housing Statement to include an assessment of the need of eligible applicants for affordable housing. ⁠Despite this, information was received in the form of a questionnaire completed for local connection for 5 people/couples. ⁠It was highlighted that this information, in addition to a chapter within the Planning Statement, was the justification for the need of these five houses, and although there was also reference noting that these individuals had registered with Tai Teg, no evidence had been submitted in the form of an assessment to prove that these individuals had a real need for affordable housing or the type of houses that they needed.

⁠The officer noted that it was completely essential that applicants for affordable housing were assessed fully for their needs and that 'desire' was not a sufficient reason for the need for affordable housing. ⁠Reference was made to the Housing Unit's observations where it was noted that six people were on the Tai Teg register for intermediate properties, but Tai Teg had confirmed that the six, who were on their register for intermediate properties, had not been fully assessed for a self-build plan. As a result, it was not considered that the need had been proven and therefore the proposal did not comply with policy TAI 16.

Reference was made to Policy TAI 8 that also required a housing statement for an application of this size to ensure an appropriate mix of housing. ⁠It was reported that no statement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9