Change of use of bank to two flats and change existing maisonette to two flats and associated changes.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Kevin
Morris Jones
Minutes:
Change the use of a bank into two flats and change
the existing maisonette into two flats with associated changes.
(a) The Planning Manager elaborated on the
background of the application and noted that the application was to convert a
former HSBC bank building in Llanberis into four
self-contained flats.
She explained that two of the flats
would be on the ground floor and there would be one flat on each of the other
floors.
She
noted that confirmation had been received from the Joint Planning Policy Unit,
on the grounds of the financial information submitted as part of the
application, that it would not be viable to provide affordable housing on the
site. She added that projected figures for the units showed that they would be
affordable without the affordable housing commitment. Consequently, the
recommendation had been amended to what was noted in the report and the
recommendation now was to approve the application with conditions.
She
drew attention to the fact that the Transportation Unit had no objection to the
proposal and, although observations have been received in regards to the lack
of parking provision in this part of Llanberis, it
was not considered that the situation created by four flats would be more
detrimental than the situation created by the building's former use as a bank
and maisonette.
The
development was acceptable in terms of relevant local and national policies for
the reasons noted in the report.
(b) It was proposed and seconded to approve the
application.
During
the ensuing discussion, the following main points were noted by members:
·
Would it be required to provide an external fire
escape as this was a three-storey building?
·
Not against the development but concerned about the
parking provision, especially overnight, considering that individuals were
parking for a short period during the day when going to the bank
·
That the proposal that would provide one bedroom
and two bedroom units was welcomed as there was a need for more flats
·
Banks closing was sad but the development would be a
good use of the building
·
The proposal would bring an empty building back
into use, it would provide units for young people and contribute towards the
need identified in the Joint Local Development Plan (LDP)
·
Would it be possible to impose a local housing
condition on the development should it be approved?
In response to the above observations, the officers
noted:
·
Providing a fire escape was a matter
for building control;
·
Acknowledged that there were parking
problems in Llanberis, but in terms of its existing
use, it should be taken into consideration that the bank's staff parked for
long periods of time, in addition to customers coming and going. The need for a
car would possibly be less as the site was in a town centre location, close to
facilities with public transportation passing by frequently. It would be a
matter for any prospective buyer to consider
·
It would not be possible to impose a
local housing condition on the development.
RESOLVED to approve the application.
Conditions:
1. The commencement time of the development
2. Development in strict accordance with the
plans
3. Welsh Water Condition
Notes:
Welsh Water
Highways
Supporting documents: