Agenda, decisions and minutes

To accept any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Huw Rowlands

To receive any declaration of personal interest and to note protocol matters.

a)             Councillor Gruffydd Williams (a member of this Planning Committee) in relation to item 5.3 (C23/0883/43/LL) on the agenda as he was the applicant's son.

The Member believed it was a prejudicial interest, and he withdrew from the meeting during the discussion on the application and did not vote on the application.

b)             The following members declared that they were local members in relation to the items noted:

·       Councillor Angela Russell (not a member of this Planning Committee), in item 5.3 (C24/0413/30/LL) on the agenda

·       Councillor Jina Gwyrfai (not a member of this Planning Committee), in relation to item 5.4 C23/0883/43/LL on the agenda

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

As a matter of order, it was reported that since the Chair was joining the meeting virtually, the Legal Officer would announce the results of the voting on the applications.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on the 9^th of September 2024, be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on 9 September 2024, as a true record.

To submit the report of the Head of Environment Department.

The Committee considered the following applications for development. Details of the applications were expanded upon and questions were answered in relation to the plans and policy aspects.

Application for the amendment of condition 2 of planning approval C21/1210/38/LL to refer to amended plans submitted as part of this Section 73 Application rather than the plans refered to as submitted on the 14/12/21 as referred to in Condition 02. 

Local Member: Councillor Angela Russell

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To defer the application to give the applicant an opportunity to correct the plans as the parking and access arrangements as seen on the site are different to that shown on the plans.

Application to amend condition 2 of planning permission C21/1210/38/LL to refer to revised plans as part of this s73 application rather than plans submitted on 14/12/21 as referred to in condition 2

a)    The Planning Manager highlighted that the planning officers recommended that the committee postponed the discussion on the application to give the applicant an opportunity to correct the plans as the parking and access arrangements as seen on the site were different to what was shown on the plans. It was noted that the agent was aware of this and was in the process of amending the plans.

b)    It was proposed and seconded to defer the application.

          RESOLVED:

To defer the application to give the applicant an opportunity to correct the plans as the parking and access arrangements as seen on the site were different to what was shown on the plans.

Full application for the change of use of an agricultural field to accommodate 10 seasonal touring caravan pitches additional to the main site, the erection of a toilet/shower block, soft landscape improvements, proposed entrance/exit and installation of treatment plant.

Local Member: Councillor Gareth Williams

Link to relevant background documents

RESOLVED: Application voluntarily withdrawn by the applicant.

Full application for the change of use of an agricultural field to accommodate 10 additional seasonal touring caravan pitches to the main site, the erection of a toilet/shower block, soft landscape improvements, proposed entrance/exit and installation of a treatment plant.

The Planning Manager highlighted that the applicant had voluntarily withdrawn the application.

Full application for the conversion of an existing stable block to residential dwelling with a single storey extension

Local Member: Councillor Jina Gwyrfai

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To approve the application subject to:

Conditions

1.     Time

2.     Compliance with plans

3.     Exterior materials/finishes

4.     Restrict occupation to rural enterprise

5.     Removal of permitted development rights

6.     Land drainage scheme

7.     Landscaping

8.     Biodiversity Matters

9.     A Welsh name for the property

Notes:

Welsh Water/NRW drainage issues.

Protected species licence

Full application to convert existing stables to residential property and erect a single storey extension

a)     The Planning Manager highlighted that this was an application to convert an existing outbuilding as well as to extend it to create a new single-storey dwelling house with three bedrooms for an agricultural worker/tourism business. It was reiterated that the proposal also included adapting another building to provide a permanent bats roost.

It was explained that the application had been submitted to the Committee as the applicant had a close family link to an Elected Council Member.

In the context of the proposal's principle, it was highlighted that policy PCYFF 1 required a justification for new developments in the countryside together with policy PS17, which explains that applications for rural enterprise housing need to comply with Planning Policy Wales and Technical Advice Note (TAN) 6: Planning for Sustainable Rural Communities and section 4.5 of TAN 6 that involves second dwellings on established farms. It was noted that the policy encouraged younger people to manage farm businesses and promote diversification on established farms, and to support this policy objective it could be appropriate to allow a second dwelling on established farms.

It was reported, in order to be able to assess the proposal against the guidance requirements, a rural enterprise house assessment, business plan and a copy of the business accounts were received.  It was stated that the applicant lived with his wife and two children in a terraced house approximately a mile and a half from the application site. Evidence was received to show that 1.95 agricultural worker was needed on the holding and the son already had the main responsibilities for running the farm. It was considered that the proposal was acceptable in respect of the context of the principle and that arrangements were already in place for the younger person to run the business.

Reference was made to the assessment and the details submitted with the application that stated that the current farm business was viable; had been established strongly, was financially robust and that there was a likelihood that it would remain so. It was highlighted that the business did not have alternative houses available and there was no suitable accommodation in the local area for the applicant given his role as the main agricultural worker on the holding. Consideration was also given that the size of the dwelling was reasonable bearing in mind the applicant's need and the size of the holding. Consequently, the Local Planning Authority expressed the opinion that the principle of the development was acceptable and in accordance with policies PCYFF 1, PS 17 and Technical Advice Note 6.

In the context of visual, general and residential amenities together with the design and visual impact of the proposal, it was considered that the modifications to the building were sympathetic and suitable for a former farm building and would not have a detrimental impact on the nearby listed building.  Having considered the location of the farm amongst other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.