Issue - meetings

Proposal to Erect up to 48 Dwellings and Associated Development

LOCAL MEMBERS: Councillor Nigel Pickavance and Councillor Dylan Fernley

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To approve with conditions 

1.       Time - five years

2.       In accordance with the plans

3.         Must submit and agree on a programme for providing affordable    housing

4.       Restrict the use to C3 use class residential dwellings only

5.       Removal of Permitted Development Rights

6.       Slate

7.       Agree on the finish

8.       Landscaping Conditions

9.       Implement the objectives of the Green Infrastructure Statement

10.    Agree on the details of any play equipment

11.    Welsh Water Condition

12.    Highways Conditions

13.    Public Protection Conditions to include working hours

14.    CADW Conditions

15.    Archaeological Condition

16.   The estate/houses must be given a Welsh name

Proposal to erect up to 48 Dwellings and Associated Development

         Attention was drawn to the Late Observations Form.

a)           The Development Control Team Leader explained that this was a planning application to erect residential units and associated works on an agricultural field on the outskirts of the City of Bangor on a site located within a Landscape of Outstanding Historical Interest. ⁠It was stated that the site had been specifically designated for housing and was within the existing development boundary.

It was reported that the main elements of the proposal were the erection of 48 residential units, the provision of associated standard estate entrance and road, the creation of parking spaces, play areas, landscaping and the provision of a dedicated drainage system. The provision would comprise 8 x one-bedroom flats, 6 x two-bedroom flats, 5 x two-bedroom bungalows, 1 x three-bedroom (assisted living) bungalow, 13 x two-bedroom two-storey houses, 12 x three-bedroom two-storey houses, 2 x four-bedroom two-storey houses and 1 x five-bedroom two-storey house. The development by a Social Housing Association would provide 100% affordable housing with the intention of providing a mix of different tenures (e.g. social rent and intermediate affordable rent) to meet the need identified in the City and in Gwynedd.

It was explained that the site was opposite Bangor Crematorium and was considered a sensitive site due to the Penrhyn Quarry Railway Scheduled Monument abutting the eastern boundary of the site, the World Heritage Site designation beyond that included grade II star Registered Park grounds around Penrhyn Castle, and the grade 11 listed building of Incline Cottage which was on the eastern boundary.

It was noted that a previous application had been submitted in 2020 for a 66-house development on the site, but that the application had been withdrawn following an objection from CADW about its impact on the heritage designations. From the various documents submitted with the application in question, discussions appeared to have taken place for a development that was more considerate of its sensitive location.

In accordance with the arrangements of the Planning Service delegation scheme, the application had been submitted to the Committee as it was a development of over five houses and defined as a "major development" due to the number of units proposed. In accordance with the appropriate procedure, a Pre-Application Consultation Report had been submitted as part of the application and the developer had advertised the proposal to the public and a statutory consultee prior to the submission of a formal planning application.

Having considered the information submitted, the proposal was considered acceptable on the basis that:

·        The Authority's adopted policies stated that Councils would seek to ensure an appropriate level of affordable housing in the LDP area. The proposal was to prepare a development that would include 100% affordable units with the Strategic Housing Unit having demonstrated evidence of the need and had confirmed that the plan addressed the need of the area.

·        The site was designated specifically for housing, and although the number of units was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6