Refurbishment and extension of existing building (to include additional floor level) to form 9 holiday units and two retail units.
Local Member: Councillor Gethin Glyn Williams
Minutes:
To convert and extend the existing
building (to include construction of an additional floor) in order to create
nine holiday units and two retail units.
(a)
The Development
Control Manager expanded on the application’s background and noted that the
proposal would include an additional floor in the building, with the holiday
units located on the first and second floor and the retail units on the first
floor facing King Edward Street. The existing workshop would be demolished to provide
bin and bicycle storage areas with eight parking bays. It was
highlighted that the design respected the structure of the original building
and was a substantial improvement in terms of the design of the existing
building which was now an eyesore. It was noted that the application requested holiday
accommodation and therefore a condition had been attached to ensure that the
units would only be used as holiday accommodation. In
addition, if the need arose to amend the use to affordable units, this would be
acceptable as it was considered that the building’s town centre location, as
well as the size of the units, meant that the units were likely to be
affordable anyhow.
It was noted that the
proposal was acceptable in a prominent site and on one of the main streets of Barmouth and was in compliance with all the relevant
policies of the Unitary Development Plan as well and National policies and
planning guidance.
(b) It was proposed and seconded to approve the
application in accordance with the recommendation.
(c) During the discussion, the following
observations were made:
·
How would the use
of the holiday units be monitored? Was it possible to include a less general condition?
·
Were the eight
parking bays sufficient for holiday use and for shop staff?
(ch) In response to these observations, the Senior
Planning Service Manager noted that:-
·
It was the
applicant who had made an application for holiday use and therefore a condition
had been included to address this.
·
Keeping a register
of holiday use was a standard national planning condition and as a result the
Council had the right to see the register at any time. If there was any suspicion of misuse of the units then
the enforcement officers had the right to investigate this further. There were insufficient resources to check every register / holiday use
and therefore the Enforcement Unit would undertake this with a sample or if a
complaint was received. In
addition, it was noted that the units would be acceptable for permanent living
units and therefore it was difficult to understand the concerns.
In response to the
comment regarding parking spaces, the Senior Development Control Engineer noted
that there was up to one bay for each holiday unit and there were plenty of other
acceptable parking spaces available for staff, in addition public car parks
were available within a convenient distance to the site.
RESOLVED to approve the application.
To
approve – conditions
1.
Five years;
2.
in accordance with plans;
3.
Condition of holiday use only/keep a register:
4.
Slates on the roof;
5.
To agree on external finishes;
6.
The handrail and the opaque screen on the terrace/roof
garden on the north eastern elevation has to be in place prior to occupation of
the development;
7.
The car parking area must be completed in total
accordance as shown on the submitted plan and prior to the occupation of the
development;
8.
The external wall on the south eastern elevation of
the development to be finished in a light colour and maintained in that
condition permanently following this;
Note
If bats should be
found during the building work, further work on the building should be stopped
and Natural Resources Wales should be contacted immediately.
Supporting documents: