Agenda item

The following development is located within the boundaries of Gwynedd Council Local Planning Authority: 1) Construction of Western tunnel head house (including the associated construction compound) at Garth and the permanent access track   The following development is located within the boundaries of Snowdonia National Park Local Planning Authority:   2) Construction of Eastern tunnel head house (including the associated construction compound), sealing end compound and permanent access at Cilfor 3) A new sealing end compound on the eastern side of the Dwyryd Estuary to connect the underground cables to the overhead line   The following development does not require formal planning permission :   These proposals would allow for the construction of an underground tunnel housing electricity cables and the removal of 10 existing pylons and associated overhead lines from across the Dwyryd Estuary The application crosses the boundary between Gwynedd Council and the Snowdonia National Park and therefore you may receive a consultation from each authority in relation to the development located within its boundaries.

 

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Gareth Thomas

 

Link to relevant background papers

DECISION To approve subject to conditions:

 

1. 5 years

2. In accordance with the plans and assessments submitted as part of the application.

3. The colour of the fence

3. Highways

4. Trunk Roads

5. NRW Conditions

6. Welsh Water

7. Working hours - and other Public Protection conditions

8. Biodiversity

9. Archaeological

10. CEMP

11. Landscaping and monitoring management plan

 

Notes

Highways

Welsh Water

 

All operations that include the disposal, treatment or recovery of tunnel outputs should be achieved in accordance with the waste hierarchy and the objectives of the outline waste management plan. Contact the Gwynedd Planning Service and Natural Resources Wales in relation to the requirements of the Environmental Licensing Regulations or planning status of any waste management facility or other site noted for the receipt, treatment or disposal of any waste arisings.

The following development is located within the boundaries of Gwynedd Council Local Planning Authority: 1) Construction of Western tunnel head house (including the associated construction compound) at Garth and the permanent access track. The following development is located within the boundaries of Snowdonia National Park Local Planning Authority: 2) Construction of Eastern tunnel head house (including the associated construction compound), sealing end compound and permanent access at Cilfor: 3) A new sealing end compound on the eastern side of the Dwyryd Estuary to connect the underground cables to the overhead line. The following development does not require formal planning permission:  These proposals would allow for the construction of an underground tunnel housing electricity cables and the removal of 10 existing pylons and associated overhead lines from across the Dwyryd Estuary.

 

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

 

a)    The Planning Manager elaborated on the background of the application, noting that this was an application concerning a project that had for some years now, included a substantial input from Council officers and stakeholders to the project referred to as a Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project.  It was reported that the plan was led by the National Grid who had consulted extensively with the local community.

 

The purpose of the plan was to mitigate the visual impact the existing electricity infrastructure has on protected landscapes around the Dwyryd estuary by removing electricity pylons between Minffordd and Cilfor and under-grounding the electricity cables for a distance of 3.5km.  It was added that a planning application had been submitted to the Gwynedd Council Planning Authority and the Snowdonia National Park Authority in order to enable both authorities to determine the application relevant to their areas.  Attention was drawn to paragraphs 1.17 - 1.23 in the report that gave a brief description of the developments subject to the application within both Authorities and to paragraphs 1.24 to 1.30 that, due to the extensive and complex nature of the plan, referred to requirements outside the planning field.   It was noted that the Planning Committee of the Snowdonia National Park Authority had already approved the application.

 

It was explained that the proposal involved erecting the Western tunnel end building (including the associated building compound), along with a permanent access track. Although the building was relatively substantial, it was comparable to an agricultural building in terms of its size, height and design. It was added that a Visual and Landscape Assessment had been submitted as part of the application and included landscape details and the visual impact including a photographic montage.  

 

Based on the information and plans submitted as part of the application, it was considered that the long-term impacts of the proposal were acceptable in terms of design, scale, materials, landscaping and the impact on the landscape and that it complied with the requirements of policies PCYFF 2, 3 and 4, AMG 2 and 3 of the LDP and TAN 12: Design. It was accepted that the plan as a whole would cause disruption, noise, vibration, dust and traffic during the temporary work of tunnelling and building the tunnel head house. Those elements that were not planning matters would be the subject of a discussion and supervision carried out by the Public Protection Unit (who deal with general nuisance) and Natural Resources Wales who issue permits for waste disposal.

 

It was recognised that it would be inevitable that such a development would have some impact on the general and residential amenities of nearby residents; however, in the long-term, it was not considered that the proposal would have a detrimental impact on the general or residential amenities of any nearby residents. Considering the short-term impacts of implementing the permission, it was highlighted that it was possible to manage and/or mitigate the impacts to acceptable levels by means of appropriate planning conditions. It was noted that the Public Protection Unit had noted acceptable working hours for the proposal in relation to the construction of the tunnel head building and in addition to conditions regarding noise issues, dust, traffic and working hours, nuisance etc., that derive directly from the development.  The applicant can also update the situation by submitting an update to the Construction Environment Management Plan that will be the subject of a planning condition. Once the tunnelling and construction work is complete, the presence of any staff on the site would be occasional.

 

It was confirmed that the Transportation Unit and the Welsh Government Trunk Roads Unit had no objection to the application and had already ensured that matters such as moving equipment and waste were included in the Construction Environment Management Plan.  It was noted that Natural Resources Wales had confirmed that the proposal was acceptable in terms of flooding risk and impact, and the Land Drainage Unit was satisfied with the work on the watercourse.

 

It was noted that extensive information had been submitted as part of the application relating to Biodiversity matters, and this was as a result of prior extensive discussions between the Biodiversity Unit and the National Grid. Mitigation and improvement measures had been proposed and these would be imposed as conditions to ensure that they are completed.

 

Although the development does not reach the thresholds of Strategic Policy PS1 which promotes and supports the use of the Welsh language in the Plan area, a Welsh Language Statement has been submitted and assessed by the Language Service and they were satisfied with the language statement due to the nature of the application and the work in question.  It was evident from the statement that the National Grid had considered the importance of the Welsh language in the area and was very aware of the need for bilingual communication and they would use local workers where possible.

 

In order to provide assurances for aspects of the proposal, and as the plan as a whole was more than what is covered in this application alone, and as there was a need to ensure that no unacceptable environmental impacts occur as a result of this work, any planning permission would be the subject of a planning condition to present and receive approval to a Construction Environment Management Plan for the control of various aspects of the work. These matters would be agreed in consultation with the relevant bodies following the approval of any planning permission.

 

The above, and all the relevant planning matters had been considered including local and national policies and guidance.

 

b)    Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Chair of the Independent Stakeholders Consultation Group noted, on behalf of the applicant, the following main points:-

 

•    That he was very supportive to the plan and had been part of this for six years.

•       The plan was one of four of its type that had been chosen as an alternative plan to improve special landscapes in England and Wales.

•       Aberdwyryd was a spectacular area but was spoilt by pylons and electricity cables.

•       Removing the pylons would transform the area and local residents would have an opportunity to enjoy the estuary and the clear views.

•       The Consultation Group includes a number of stakeholders who are supportive to the plan and have been part of the plan's details since 2015.

•       That the plans for the two compounds were different in response to the public consultation.

•       The National Park Planning Authority had granted the application without any objections.

•       The plan would be a boost to local business and would bring environmental, leisure and economic benefits to this beautiful area. 

•       The proposal would restore the area's natural beauty.

•       That it was an honour to be part of a scheme that will transform the area to such an extent.

 

c)    Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Local Member made the following points:-

 

• That he supported the proposal.

• That the pylons were like scars on beautiful and important land.

• Discussions with the National Grid were to be praised - they had been very open.

•  That the road to the head of the tunnel was the original road to the quarry before the by-pass was built and therefore had a history of heavy traffic.

• Supported the proposal to remove pylons from a beautiful estuary.

 

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

 

d)    During the ensuing discussion, the following points were made by members:

 

                 • Removing the pylons would be an improvement for the area and for tourism

                 • Views would improve once the pylons had been taken down

  •The plan was certainly one to welcome - it was an improvement in a  sensitive area

                 • Welcomed the intention to employ local people

 

  • Welcomed the principle, but it was difficult to support a plan that would contribute to energy poverty

RESOLVED to approve the application with the following conditions:

 

1.    5 years

2.    In accordance with the plans and assessments submitted as part of the application.

3.    The colour of the fence

4.    Highways

5.    Trunk Roads

6.    NRW Conditions

7.    Welsh Water

8.    Working hours - and other Public Protection conditions

9.    Biodiversity

10.  Archaeological

11.  CEMP

12.  Landscaping and monitoring management plan

 

Notes

  Highways

  Welsh Water

 

All operations that include the disposal, treatment or recovery of tunnel outputs should be achieved in accordance with the waste hierarchy and the objectives of the outline waste management plan.

  Contact the Gwynedd Planning Service and Natural Resources Wales in relation to the requirements of the Environmental Licensing Regulations or planning status of any waste management facility or other site noted for the receipt, treatment or disposal of any waste arisings.