Agenda item

Creation of balcony and access door from house along with the installation of two heat pumps

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Gareth Jones

Link to relevant background documents

Creation of a balcony and access door from the house along with the installation of two heat pumps

   Attention was drawn to the late observations form that had been received

a)    The Planning Manager elaborated on the background of the application and explained that the proposal involved the creation of a first-floor balcony along the front of the house above existing flat roof sections and installation of two heating pumps to serve the property.   It was explained that the property stood adjacent to the access to Morfa Nefyn beach, but on a slightly more elevated level than the beach, with a high boundary wall surrounding the front and sides.  The site was outside the designated Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (but within 240m) and was within the Llŷn and Bardsey Island Landscape of Outstanding Historical Interest.

In the context of general and residential amenities, it was highlighted that the submitted plans included a solid 1.8m high screen that would reduce the potential of overlooking through the neighbour's windows.  The application had been assessed against the requirements of Policy PCYFF2 and the officers did not believe that the development would have an intrusive and detrimental impact on the neighbour's amenities and therefore the proposal was considered acceptable.

The application was submitted to the Committee at the Local Member’s request.

b)    Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Local Member noted the following main points:

·         He considered the adaptations to be substantial

·         The Community Council and the local residents were concerned about changing the area's appearance and look

·         No objection to installing two heating pumps provided that they were inside the site

·         That he objected to the balcony on the grounds of overdevelopment within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), lands of interest and a sensitive area

·         He noted that the balcony would be completely visible and seen from three directions

·         The balcony would affect the enjoyment of beach users

·         The building was a part of an iconic view - was included on cards which promoted the area - the view needed to be retained as it was

·         That approximately 25 adjacent / nearby cottages did not have a balcony.  This needed to be retained and a striking view should not be defaced.

·         That he was encouraging the Committee to refuse the installation of a balcony.

c)    It was proposed and seconded to refuse the application to install a balcony.

ch) During the ensuing discussion, the following main observations were noted by members:

·         That the balcony had been refused in a previous planning application

·         That installing a balcony would disrupt the tranquillity of the beach and visual amenities

·         The balcony would disrupt the views into and out of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

·         The site was iconic

·         The buildings were historic 

·         To approve the application to install two heating pumps to serve the property 

d)    In response to a comment stating that the Committee had refused the balcony in a previously discussed planning application (02-09-19), Members were reminded,  following discussions with the agent before that Committee, that the balcony element to the front of the property had been removed from the application.

RESOLVED to refuse the application to install a first-floor balcony along the front of the house as it would create unacceptable changes to its appearance, thus having a harmful visual impact on views into and out of the AONB, contrary to Policies PCYFF 3 and AT 1 of the JLDP.