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Agenda item

Application to vary condition 1 of C14/0061/41/AM and condition 1 of C18/0249/41/MG in order to extend the time period to commence work and amend the layout and design of the proposed dwellings and the proportion of affordable dwellings in the associated S106 agreement

 

LOCAL MEMBER: COUNCILLOR ALED EVANS

 

Link to relevant background documents

Minutes:

Application to vary condition 1 of C14/0061/41/AM and condition 1 of C18/0249/41/MG to extend the period to commence the work, amend the setting and design of the proposed dwellings together with the portion of affordable housing in the associated 106 agreement.

a)    The Planning Manager elaborated on the background of the application and explained that it was a full application to vary condition 1 of planning permission C14/0061/41/AM and condition 1 of planning permission C18/0249/41/MG to extend the period to commence the work, amend the setting and design of the proposed dwellings together with the portion of affordable housing in the associated 106 Agreement.  It was explained that outline planning permission and a reserved matters permission had already been given under reference numbers C14/0061/41/AM and C18/0249/41/MG to erect 15 dwellings to include five affordable units.  It was noted that the application before them entailed amending the setting and design of the houses together with reducing the portion of affordable housing from five to two.

 

It was explained that the proposal's principle had already been accepted and established via the outline planning permission and reserved matters that had already been granted on the site.  It was noted that these consents, determined in accordance with the Unitary Development Plan at the time and the other relevant policies, remained on the site and established the principle of the current proposal.    This was a material planning consideration.  Attention was drawn to the need to consider whether circumstances or the planning policy position had changed since these applications were originally approved, and to assess the amendments against current policies. By now, the Anglesey and Gwynedd Local Plan had been adopted and therefore there had been a material change in the policies since determining the principle of the previous outline application.

 

It was highlighted that under the Local Development Plan the percentage of affordable housing was less than what was required under the Unitary Development Plan.  Although the previous permissions provided five affordable units, the proposal to provide two units now complied with the requirements of current planning policy (TAI 15).  It was explained that these affordable units were located in the centre of the site and were two-bedroom houses in compliance with the area's need for affordable housing and confirmed by the Strategic Housing Unit.    

 

It was noted that the proposal offered an appropriate mix of 11, three-bedroom houses (some with and without connected garages and different sized gardens) two, two-bedroom (affordable) houses and two, four-bedroom houses.   It was added that this offered more variety compared to the previous plan that offered 11 three-bedroom houses, three four-bedroom houses and one two-bedroom bungalow.    Confirmation had been received from the agent that the proposed mix was based on the Gwynedd Housing Need Assessment.  

 

It was noted that visual, general and residential amenities and transportation matters were acceptable.   It was added that there was no change to open spaces of recreational value or educational facilities.

 

It was considered that the development continued to comply with current housing policies and current supplementary planning guidance dealing with Planning Obligation, Affordable Housing and Housing Mix.   

 

b)    Taking advantage of the right to speak, the agent on behalf of the applicant noted the following main points:-

·         There was a better balance in the type of housing

·         There were no local objections to the plan

·         The Community Council supported the proposal

·         The developer was local and was familiar with the village

·         No impact on plans to re-open the public house in the future - the development worked hand in hand with this 

·         The affordable houses were two bedroom dwellings, in accordance with the requirements of Tai Teg and Gwynedd Council's Housing Department.

 

c)    It was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

 

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

·         Why did the original application include five affordable houses that had now been reduced to two?

·         Should a new application be submitted?

·         Concern that the two smallest houses were the affordable housing, but accepted if this responded to the need

·         When reviewing the Local Development Plan (2021) the viability of areas should be re-assessed to seek a better percentage of affordable housing.  

·         Welcomed the fact that the developer was local and knew the area

·         That the educational contribution appeared to be too low

 

d)    In response to an observation regarding the educational contribution, it was noted that the contribution was based on information received from the Education Service and requirement of the relevant Supplementary Planning Guidance

 

dd) In terms of the submission of a new application, it was noted that the developer was permitted to modify the types of housing offered.  It was added that the plan before the committee was an improvement, the design features were better and offered a better mix of housing.  

 

RESOLVED to delegate the power to the Assistant Head of the Environment Department to approve the application subject to amending the existing 106 Agreement to change the number of affordable houses (with no change to the educational contribution) and to relevant conditions relating to:   

 

1.    Two years (in accordance with that requested on the application form)

2.    External finish

3.    Slate

4.    SUDS

5.    Highways Conditions

6.    Welsh Water conditions

7.    Lighting Scheme

8.    Landscaping

9.    Removal of permitted delegated rights from the affordable units

 

Supporting documents: