Issue - meetings

Construction of 8 dwellings (use class C3)

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Geraint Parry

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To delegate powers to the Head of the Environment Department to approve the application, subject to a 106 agreement for an affordable home and conditions relating to the following:

1.     The time in terms of the commencement of the development

2.     In accordance with the plans

3.     Slates on the roof

4.     Materials 

5.     C3 use for all housing

6.     Welsh name for the housing estate and houses.

7.     Welsh and / or bilingual signs

8.     Construction work hours

9.     Capel Gwylfa date stone to be installed in accordance with the approved plan prior to occupation of the houses

10.  In accordance with the Land Contamination Inspection Report

11.  NRW condition relating to unsuspected pollution.

12.  Submit and agree on foul water drainage details.

13.  Transport Department (Welsh Government) conditions relating to the access and road safety.

14.  Landscaping work in accordance with the details submitted in the first planting season following occupation / completion of the development and replanting if any tree / hedge fails within 5 years.

15.  Bird and bat boxes to be installed in accordance with the Green Infrastructure Statement before the houses are first occupied.

Notes:

SuDS note

Refer to observations from Dŵr Cymru and the Transport Department (Welsh Government) - present

Construction of 8 dwellings (use class C3)

a)           The Professional Trainee – Planning highlighted that this was a full application for the construction of 8 dwellings with the aim of providing 1 affordable dwelling as part of the development, as well as 18 parking spaces within the site (2 for each property and an additional 2 for visitors). It was noted that the site was located within the development boundary of Blaenau Ffestiniog, and within a World Heritage Site and the Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest. It was explained that the site was currently empty, with the buildings of the former garage demolished. To the north of the site lies a playing field, to the east there was a football field, to the west was the A470 trunk road and to the south the site bordered with a dwelling house.

The application was submitted to Committee as it was an application for 5 or more dwellings.

It was reported that the development was supported against the indicative supply level for Blaenau Ffestiniog. It was considered that the proposal was acceptable in terms of density and met the requirements of criterion (3) of Policy PCYFF 2 of the LDP. It was elaborated that it would be appropriate to impose a condition for the houses to be restricted to use class C3 only, namely dwelling-houses to be used as a sole or main residence.

It was considered that the mix and type of housing intended was acceptable and met local demand – the proposal was acceptable in terms of Policy TAI 8 and the SPG – Housing Mix. ⁠In accordance with Policy TAI 15, a 10% contribution of affordable homes was expected – 8 houses, therefore a 0.8 contribution of affordable units was expected. ⁠It was explained, when the requirement for affordable housing fell under 1 unit on the site, then the provision of an affordable unit would continue to be a priority where possible.  It was elaborated that the developer had confirmed that plot 1 in the plan would be offered as a site for an affordable dwelling. Consequently, providing this unit on the site would meet the requirements in terms of the number of affordable units.

In the context of the impact on the Welsh language, it was considered that the proposed development would have a neutral impact on the Welsh language. It was highlighted that Welsh names had been recommended for the estate in the Language and Community Statement and it was considered appropriate to impose a condition to ensure a Welsh name for the development in accordance with criterion 5 of Policy PS 1. 

Although there were a number of linear developments near the site, examples of housing estates of this type could be found in the area and an estate of the design in question was not considered to be out of character for the area. The proposal in question would offer a variety in the type and size of houses and it was considered that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10