Agenda item

Resurfacing and rearranging the Glyn car parks including the creation of an accessible walking path with a tarmac surface and the installation of a gravel cell surface system within the parking areas.

 

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Kim Jones

 

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To delegate the right to the Senior Planning Manager to approve the application, subject to receiving positive observations from Natural Resources Wales and the Trees Unit relating to further information submitted in response to their initial observations:

 

1. Time

2. Compliance with the plans

3. Highway conditions

4. Implementation to be in accordance with the recommendations of the

Ecological Impacts Assessment 

5. Implementation to be in accordance with the recommendations of the

Arboricultural Assessment 

6. Any other required Biodiversity/Arboriculture conditions

 

            Notes

 

1.    Welsh Water

2.    Natural Resources Wales

3.    Land Drainage Unit

 

Resurfacing and rearranging Y Glyn car parks including creating an accessible footpath with a tarmac surface and installing a gravel cell system surface within the parking bays.

 

Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

 

 

a)    The Planning Manager highlighted that it was an application to rearrange the three existing car parks located in Y Glyn on the banks of Llyn Padarn in Llanberis. The rearrangement would only mean improvements to the car parks - no changes were intended to the use of the land and the car parks would remain under the management of the County Council. The work would include:

·         Car Park Area Number 1:  52 x car parking bays, 3 x disabled parking bays and 9 x camper van parking bays. This area would also include an area to wash canoes/equipment with high walls surrounding it, a drinking water fountain, bicycle shelter to store up to 10 bicycles with a green roof and timber cladding and three EV charging points for electric cars. 

·         Car Park Area Number 2:  57 x car parking bays, 1 x trailer parking bay and 13 x camper van parking bays.

·         Car Park Area Number 3:  20 x car parking bays, 2 x disabled parking bays and 4 x camper van parking bays.

 

It was added that the footpath would be finished in tarmacadam and the road and new parking bays would all be finished with cellular grids filled with gravel - with light grey coloured gravel used in the parking bays and dark grey coloured gravel in the road area to create a visual contrast.

 

It was noted that Strategic Policy PS 5: Sustainable Development, committed the Planning Authority to support developments where it can be shown that they were consistent with sustainable development principles. This policy prioritised the use of previously developed land and the promotion of high-quality design standards that positively contribute to the local area. This plan would provide an opportunity to improve the parking resources in this location, and ensure that the three areas were enhanced and better organised for the benefit of users and the long-term management of the site.

 

In the context of highway matters, it was noted that the Transportation Unit had no objection to the proposals in relation to the safety of the highway and it was considered that the parking arrangements were acceptable. The bicycle shelter would encourage the use of sustainable transport methods, while installing a solid footpath would facilitate access for people with mobility problems.

 

In the context of biodiversity and trees, it was noted that the site was within a Site of Special Scientific Interest; an initial Ecological Evaluation had been submitted, which concluded that it was unlikely that the proposed plan would lead to significant residual impact on the important ecological features in the long-term, if all the mitigation and compensation measures proposed by the report were followed. In addition, the Trees Unit confirmed that the Arboriculture Impact Assessment (AIA) was of an acceptable standard and they suggested that all the measures to safeguard trees and woodlands noted in the Assessment should be followed. The Trees Unit was also eager to receive further details about the replanting scheme, and this was accepted by the applicant.

 

It was not considered that the proposal was contrary to any material planning policy within the LDP and that the proposed development was appropriate for the site and was likely to be of a strategic importance to the County Council. In addition, it was not considered that the proposal was likely to cause any unacceptable detrimental impact to nearby residents or the community in general.

 

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

·         She was supportive of the application.

·         The area was a rural park which was now in a vulnerable position and there was pressure on the Council to respond to the concerns.

·         The existing car parks were unkempt, with pot holes and created a risk for users - no bicycle storage area, not enough litter bins and no income for their maintenance.

·         The project to be welcomed - it would improve safety, with marked parking bays and a one-way system - there would be a resource for green travel, bicycle shelters, large bins and a charging point.

·         There would be an opportunity to collect income to fund further improvements in the park and employ wardens.

·         Welcomed better management.

·         The Community Council supported the application.

 

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

 

ch) During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by Members:

·      That the plans were effective.

·      The work would improve the visibility of the Park.

·      Similar schemes were needed across the county.

 

RESOLVED: To delegate the right to the Senior Planning Manager to approve the application, subject to receiving positive observations from Natural Resources Wales and the Trees Unit relating to further information submitted in response to their initial observations:

 

            1. Time

            2. Compliance with the plans

            3. Highway conditions

4. Implementation to be in accordance with the recommendations of the Ecological Impacts Assessment 

5. Implementation to be in accordance with the recommendations of the Arboricultural Assessment 

6. Any other required Biodiversity/Arboriculture conditions

 

            Notes

 

1.         Welsh Water

2.         Natural Resources Wales

3.         Land Drainage Unit