Agenda item - Application No C20/0538/03/LL - Ffordd Wynne, Blaenau Ffestiniog, LL41 3DW

Demolition of existing building and erection of 6 new dwellings

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Glyn Daniels

DECISION: To delegate powers to the Assistant Head of the Environment Department to approve the application subject to the applicant completing a Section 106 agreement in order to transfer the units to a housing association and to the following conditions:

1. Five years.

2. In accordance with the plans.

3. Slate as roofing material

4. Samples of materials and colours for the buildings to be agreed with the LPA.

5. Highway conditions for parking / access.

6. Soft and hard landscaping.

7. Working hours limited to 8:00 - 18:00 during the week, 08:00 - 12:00 on a Saturday and no working at all on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

8. Agree on details regarding a Welsh name for the development together with advertising signage informing of and promoting the development within and outside the site.

9. Removal of general development rights for all units.

10. Submission of a Construction Method Statement including demolition work and working arrangements during the construction phase to be agreed with the LPA.

11. Secure / agree on an affordable housing scheme (standard)

Note:

SUDS

Welsh Water

Demolish existing building and construct 6 new dwellings

Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

a) The Planning Manager elaborated on the background of the application, noting that this was a full application to demolish an existing empty building and erect six new residential houses. It was explained that the site is located within the development boundary of Blaenau Ffestiniog and was previously used as a Multi-purpose Health Centre, but which is now empty since the resource was relocated to the new Health Centre nearby. It was highlighted that there were many elements to the application:-

· Provision of 4 three-bedroom houses (5 persons) and 2 two-bedroom houses (4 persons)

· Provide infrastructure to include water attenuation/retention areas within the site, bin / recycling storage and a shed for each house, 12 parking spaces for the users/residents of the new houses, erection of timber fence along the sides and rear of the site.

· Provision of individual gardens for each house to the rear of the site.

· It is proposed to demolish the existing building and locate the new houses more or less on the same footprint, they will be laid out in three sets of semi-detached houses with external elevations to include slate roofs and external walls a mix of render and slate cladding.

The proposal involves providing 6 residential units and in accordance with the requirements of Policy TAI 15 at least 10% of the units should be affordable. It was confirmed that Adra is associated with the development and that it intends to let the six units at social housing rent levels. It was reiterated that Adra was in the process of applying for this scheme to be included on the grant programme in Gwynedd, with the intention of purchasing the houses from the developer at GPA levels for affordable units. As would be the case with an application where the Registered Social Landlord such as Adra is not the applicant, but was expressing an interest in developing the site, it was considered reasonable to draw up a 106 agreement to ensure that the development is transferred to the Registered Social Landlord, ensuring control and affordability in the future.

There were no objections on the grounds of visual, general, residential or transportation amenities. It was not considered that the proposal was contrary to local or national policies, and that there are no material planning matters that outweigh the policy considerations. The proposal was considered acceptable, subject to the inclusion of appropriate conditions.

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

b) During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by members:

· That the area is suitable for the proposal

· That there is a local need for housing

· That there were over 100 holiday homes in Blaenau Ffestiniog, therefore, the application for housing for local people was welcomed.

RESOLVED: To delegate powers to the Assistant Head of the Environment Department to approve the application subject to the applicant completing a Section 106 agreement in order to transfer the units to a housing association and to the following conditions: