Agenda item

Vary condition 1 on planning permission C09A/0412/26/LL so as to extend the time granted to commence work for another 5 years

 

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Edgar Wyn Owen

 

Link to relevant background documents

 

Application Number C18/0993/26/LL – Land Adjacent to Hen Gapel, Ffordd Waunfawr, Caeathro

 

Change condition 1 of planning permission C09A/0412/26/LL in order to extend the time granted to commence work for a further five years

 

(a)       The Development Control Manager elaborated on the background of the application, and noted that the application was deferred in the committee meeting on 29.4.19 in order to allow the Planning Officers to consider the late observations of the Language Unit.

 

It was highlighted that the entire application was located within the development boundary of Caeathro as included in the LDP, in a relatively prominent locationin the centre of the village.  It was noted that the design, elevations, materials, plan or form of the houses had not changed since the previous application was approved in 2014 and so it was considered that the proposal remained acceptable. 

 

It was reported that the development included four affordable houses, which equated to 33%.  As no official valuation has been received to establish the open market value of the houses, it was noted that the developer would be required to agree an the price with the Planning Department in order to determine an appropriate discount for the affordable houses.  It was highlighted that this could be done by means of an appropriate condition that would ensure affordable housing.

 

When considering educational provision matters, it was anticipated that a total of 15 primary school pupils would emanate from this application for 12 houses, along with another of the developer's developments for 29 houses in Bontnewydd.  It was highlighted that Ysgol Bontnewydd, namely the catchment area school, had capacity for 182 pupils (167 at present).  Consequently, no financial contribution would be required for the educational provision as admitting an additional 15 pupils would not exceed the capacity.

 

It was considered that the proposal was acceptable in terms of the principle, location, scale, density, visual / residential amenities, road safety and infrastructure matters and in accordance with the relevant policies.

         

(b)     Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s agent noted the following main points:-

·           That the application had already been identified as suitable and had been approved in 2014

·           That it was located within the Development Plan

·           Due to the challenging period in the construction sector, the developer had not been able to act within the period of time and therefore he was requesting an extension

·           That no adaptations had been made to the original application

·           That the developer would use local contractors and local materials

 

(c)     The local member (a member of this Planning Committee) made the following main points:-

·                     That there was a need for housing in Caeathro

·                     That he was supportive of the development.

 

(ch)   It was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

 

(d)       In response to a comment regarding flooding concerns on the site, it was highlighted that Planning Officers had consulted with Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales and they were satisfied with the mitigation measures and the relevant conditions proposed.

 

(dd)   In response to a comment regarding the statutory need to provide a safe play area and that expressing that the private gardens of the new houses provided an adequate response to that, it was highlighted that the Planning Officers had consulted with the relevant officers who confirmed that a substantial playing field already existed opposite the location and that this was sufficient.

 

          In response to a further observations regarding the supply of equipment on the playing field, it was noted that the play area was reasonable as it was.

                                  

(e)       In response to a suggestion to planting trees as a potentially effective natural method of flood prevention, reference was made to the condition of submitting a landscaping plan.

 

RESOLVED to approve the application subject to including the following conditions:

 

1. Five years.

2. In accordance with the plans.

3. Transportation

4. Natural Resources Wales

5. Flood Risk and Coastal Erosion Management Unit

6. Landscaping.

7. Submission of an Ecological Management Plan together with a Construction Environmental Management Plan.

8. Materials / slates

9. Removal of permitted rights for the affordable homes.

10. Condition ensuring that the four houses are affordable through the submission of an affordable housing plan.

11. Condition ensuring that Welsh names are used for the new development, names of houses and street(s).