Create a 4 zip wire course to replace the
little zipper lines located below the main zip line, siting of associated
equipment and infrastructure, platforms similar to the existing ones and extend
existing acoustic mounds (part retrospective application).
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Dafydd Owen
Link to relevant background documents
Minutes:
Create
a four zipper line course in lieu of the little zipper lines located below the
main zip line, siting of associated equipment and infrastructure, platforms
similar to the existing ones and extending the existing acoustic bunds (part
retrospective application).
(a) The Senior Development Control Manager
elaborated on the background of the application, drawing attention to the
additional observations received which included the letters of objection. He
explained that the owners of Ogwen Bank Holiday Park had withdrawn their
objection following a discussion with the applicant on the site.
Reference
was made to the observations of the Public Protection Unit which proposed conditions
that should be included should the application be approved. He noted,
considering the application site, that restricting the use of the wires from
08:00 until 20:00 as recommended was reasonable, considering the location of
the site.
It was noted that the attraction of the Zip World
enterprise had been established since 2013, therefore, the principle of the
enterprise and the activities relating to the enterprise, had already been
accepted.
Objections on the application were received on the grounds
of loss of privacy and the continuation in the negative impact of noise
deriving from the existing attraction along with the noise impact that could
derive from the attraction in the future on the grounds of the amenities of
local residents. However, in response to these concerns the applicant had
confirmed in writing that the four zipper lines that were the subject of this
application would be operated in accordance with the conditions included in the
previous application which relates to opening hours along with restricting
sound levels generated by the attraction.
It was
emphasised that this latest proposal was an application to relocate the four
small wires (below the existing wires), rather than adding to the existing
numbers. Considering the location of the four new lines in relation to nearby
dwellings to the east (James Street and Braichmelyn) it was not believed that
the level, nature, and the type of noise that was currently generated by the
lines would intensify should this latest application be approved.
It was noted that having considered all
observations and responses received, all the policies and material planning
matters, it was not believed that the development would have a significant
negative effect on the area's visual and residential amenities, land users,
nearby properties, road safety, biodiversity, heritage assets, or the setting
of the National Park, and considering this assessment it was not believed that
this latest proposal was contrary to these relevant policies.
(b) Taking
advantage of the right to speak, an objector noted the following main points:
·
The acoustic screening of the new landing platform
was not as good as the acoustic screening of the existing landing platform;
·
No acoustic bunds as part of the application;
·
That the Public Protection Unit recommended a
mechanical noise level restriction to LAFMAX 10 seconds of 43dB as measured
from the James Street dwellings and if the new mechanism of the small zip wire
was as quiet as noted by the applicant it would not be difficult to comply with
the restriction therefore why was a level of 47dB recommended?
·
A condition should be imposed in accordance with
the Public Protection Unit's proposal to restrict the time when the wires would
be used from 08:00 to 18:00, seven days a week as the hours were closer to the
hours noted in 2011.
(c) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s agent
noted the following main points:-
·
That the proposal would improve safety as users
would not have to cross the road as was currently done in order to reach the
large zip wire;
·
In terms of noise concerns, the wires would now be
further from the houses and the caravan park and that the company was working
on a quieter system in terms of the trolleys and was considering a different
stopping mechanism;
·
The business did not want to create a nuisance to
the residents.
(ch) It was proposed and seconded
to approve the application.
A member enquired whether it would be possible to impose a condition on
the planning permission that an acoustic bund needed to be created near the
landing platform. In response, the Senior Planning Service Manager noted that
the applicant could be asked to create an acoustic bund but considering that
the Public Protection Unit did not have an objection to the proposal should
conditions be imposed, it was unnecessary to provide a bund.
In response to an observation by a member
regarding the need to ensure that the re-directed path was available to use as
soon as possible, the Senior Planning Service Manager noted that he would make
enquiries.
A member noted that the objector's request
for an acoustic bund near the landing platform was reasonable and that
consideration should be given to providing a bund.
Resolved: To approve in accordance with the following
conditions:
1.
In accordance with
the plans.
2.
Protect local
biodiversity features by complying with the recommendations of the Ecological
Surveys document dated 1.11.17.
3.
Restrict the hours of using the wires to between
08:00 and 20:00, seven days a week.
4.
Restrict the noise levels to the levels agreed with
the Public Protection Unit in the previous application.
5.
Landscaping.
6. Agree on the external materials for the building provided
for public use.
Supporting documents: