Issue - meetings

Change of use form offices to 5 residential flats, including extension at the rear.  Air source heat pumps and a new door to the refuse store.

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Cai Larsen

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To defer

Reason:  Request for further information and evidence of the need, to meet policy TAI 8 requirements

Change of use of offices to 5 residential flats, including a rear extension. Installation of an Air Source Heat Pump and a door to the waste storage

Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

The Planning Manager highlighted that the building was substantial, located on the corner of the high street within the development boundary of Caernarfon Town and the World Heritage Site Conservation Area. There was no intention to change the front or side elevation of the building that are prominent from the high street. It was confirmed that there was sufficient capacity within the Caernarfon indicative supply for this development currently.

It was highlighted that the property was under Cyngor Gwynedd's ownership and the proposed use would form part of the Council's statutory response to the duty of accommodating homeless people. It was emphasised that the plan's target group were low-risk homeless individuals, not complex supported accommodation or some use that would create a high-level impact on the community. It was noted that the units complied with the Welsh Government's standards for affordable units in terms of size, and the proposed use would address homelessness (without overloading the local housing provision, and would provide affordable units in accordance with the requirements of the planning policy).

Reference was made to a statement received by Cyngor Gwynedd's Housing and Property Department confirming that the property would be earmarked as a "meanwhile" property, offering a stable accommodation for a period of up to two years whilst individuals were waiting for a suitable permanent solution.  It was highlighted that a total of 81 individuals were currently located in the Town and no additional plans were currently being considered in Caernarfon. With the proposal being provided as a social property under the Council's management within an Urban Service Centre, it was considered that the proposal would meet the requirements of policy TAI 15 subject to including a condition that the proposal would ensure affordable units in perpetuity.

It was explained that the alteration work would include internal changes and constructing a three-storey extension within the rear yard of the property, therefore it would not impact the building's elevation or character which was prominent to the public or have a detrimental visual impact on the World Heritage Site or the Conservation Area. The work would include installing ground floor windows and first-floor windows for the back bedrooms and it was confirmed that the first-floor windows would be fitted with opaque glass – this could be ensured by imposing a planning condition. It was also noted that a planning condition would be imposed to submit the details and location of the air source heat pump. Consequently, it was considered that the proposal would not have a significant detrimental impact on nearby residents.

In the context of transport and access matters, it was noted that the property was located in the Town centre where there were vehicle parking spaces on the street and within public car parks. In terms of biodiversity matters, reference was made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10