Agenda and minutes

To elect a chair for 2017/18.

RESOLVED to elect Sian Parri as Chair for 2017/18.

To elect a vice-chair for 2017/18.

RESOLVED to elect Councillor Gareth Williams as Vice-chair for 2017/18.

To receive apologies for absence.

Councillors Anwen Davies, John Brynmor Hughes and Aled Wyn Jones (Gwynedd Council), along with Brett Garner (Llŷn Fishermen's Association), Laura Hughes (National Trust) and Alun Price (Natural Resources Wales).

            To receive any declaration of personal interest.

Councillor Gruffydd Williams (Nefyn Town Council) declared a personal interest in item 5 on the agenda 'Urgent Matters', as he was a member of Gwynedd Council's Planning Committee. The Member was of the opinion that it was a prejudicial interest, and he withdrew from the room during the discussion on the item.

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

The AONB Service Manager noted that an amended application on the site of 'The Shanty, Abersoch', had been submitted to the Planning Service (application no. C17/1024/39/LL). Members were reminded that the Joint Committee had discussed the original application at the previous meeting on 6 September 2017 and had submitted the below observations to the Planning Service:

Ø  That the Llŷn AONB Joint Advisory Committee objected to the application on the following grounds: 

·         The proposal would be an over-development of this prominent site with a substantially larger footprint than the present dwelling.

·         The development would be intrusive.

Ø  That the Joint Advisory Committee was concerned about the cumulative impact of such developments on the AONB.

He noted that the original application had been refused by the Planning Committee on 25 September 2017.

He reported that the Planning Committee at its meeting on 18 December had postponed the decision on the amended application in order to give the Joint Committee the opportunity to submit observations about the application.

It was noted that the size of the house in the proposal had been reduced, a garage was no longer part of the amended application and there would be more vegetation around the development as it was smaller. He noted that he had submitted observations to the Planning Service about the application on behalf of the AONB Unit, in accordance with procedure. He explained that, as a chartered planner, he was qualified to submit observations on planning applications.

He noted that he had submitted observations on the application about the matters concerning the impact on the AONB and that he was of the opinion that:

·         A commendable effort had been made to try to design the building so that it would be in keeping with the unique site on the end of the Peninsula and that the design standard was higher than that of the buildings on either side which were more urban and lacking in character;

·         That the materials on the whole were appropriate for the coastal setting;

·         Having weighed up the details of the application, that the proposal would not affect the AONB.

He highlighted that the AONB Unit had submitted observations expressing concerns about a number of applications to demolish and rebuild in the Abersoch area, for example, the Harbour Hotel, White House Hotel and Blaen y Wawr, but that the applications had nevertheless been approved.

He drew members' attention to the plans and pictures of the development that had been displayed at the meeting, stating that one plan showed the difference between the original application and the amended application. He stated that a representative from Cadnant Planning (the agent for the application) was in attendance and that she would respond to members' questions. Members were given an opportunity to look at the plans and pictures.

During the ensuing discussion, members made the following main observations:

·         Although the size of the house had been reduced, there was still concern as it was over three floors with extensive use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of this committee, held on 6 September 2017, be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Joint Committee held on 6 September, 2017, as a true record, subject to amending the attendance in the English version to state that Brett Garner represented "Llŷn Fishermen’s Association”.

To consider the report of the Llŷn AONB Service Manager.

The Llŷn AONB Service Manager submitted the report, stating that in the meeting of the Joint Committee on 6 September 2017 a decision had been made to accept the amended draft of the AONB Management Plan as a basis for public consultation. He reported that the public consultation had taken place between 2 October and 10 November.

The members were guided through Appendix 1 of the report which contained a summary of the main observations received, the observations of the AONB Service and a recommendation to change the plan or not.

Individual members noted the main observations below in relation to the observations received as part of the public consultation:

·         Would it be possible to use a different wording from Brexit, either 'leaving the European Union' or a Welsh spelling?

·         6.3 - That the fence at Bwlch yr Eifl was visually impacting the AONB. It was in an open access area and went directly to the Tre'r Ceiri defensive wall. Did not understand how a fence was allowed to be installed;

·         6.3 - That reference should be made to the work of installing cables underground that had already been completed at Bwlch yr Eifl in the Plan;

·         6.7 - That touring caravan sites were overpopulating their sites and, because of a shortage of enforcement staff at the Council, it was difficult to police. The need to screen caravan sites to reduce the visual impact;

·         12.2 - With regards to extending the tourism season in the area whilst being environmentally sustainable and protecting the environment, the need for promotion that was sustainable to the Welsh language, and making the language a selling point for the area. It had to be acknowledged that tourism, albeit a positive thing, had had a negative impact on the Welsh language in the area;

·         12.6 - That signs should direct people to the AONB from the A55 as part of the Wales Roads Programme to make people aware of the area;

·         12.6 - It should be ensured that Ffordd y Glannau that would begin at Aberdaron and end in St David's as part of the Wales Roads Programme was not promoted to the detriment of other parts of Pen Llŷn;

·         13 - The multi-use access-for-all path from Nefyn to Nefyn Headland needed to be promoted;

·         13.3 - Would it be possible to state what was noted in the Council's Rights of Way Improvement Plan in the Management Plan to reinforce paragraph 13.11.2 especially in relation to priorities;

·         13.4 - That the observation by Natural Resources Wales was fairly negative towards a group of volunteers carrying out the work, stating that it would not be sufficient to prevent the loss of important parts of the network. It should be noted that the work of volunteers further benefited the network not only from a health and Welsh language perspective;

·         Would it be possible to include a more detailed map of the AONB in the Plan?

In response to the above, the officers noted:

·         It would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.