Agenda item

Application No C22/1102/36/AC Land To The South Of The A487 And To The East Of B4411, Bryncir, LL51 9LQ

Meeting of Planning Committee, Monday, 27th February, 2023 1.00 pm (Item 8.)

Variation of condition 1 (timeframe to start work) on planning permission C17/0772/36/LL to extend the period for starting the work for a further 5 years

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Stephen Churchman

Link to relevant background documents

Decision:

DECISION: To approve with conditions

1. Five years

2. Ensure that the development is completed in accordance with the plans and documents submitted in application C17/0772/36/LL together with the amended plan for diverting the public footpath which was approved in application C18/0168/36/LL and the Ecological Evaluation Report and the Flood Consequence Assessment Report submitted with the current application.

3. Finish to be agreed (including the colour of the fence)

4. Agree on a scheme to dispose of foul and surface water

5. Agree on a construction environmental management plan

6. Agree on a construction traffic management plan and receive the approval of the Welsh Government's Trunk Roads Unit on access matters (and any relevant additional conditions).

7. Complete the landscaping within the first planting season following proposal completion.

8. Ensure the diversion /safeguarding of the public footpath.

9. Archaeological conditions.

10. Working hours.

Welsh Water Note and the Water and Environment Unit at YGC

Minutes:

Vary condition 1 (work commencement period) on planning permission C17/0772/36/LL to extend the period for commencing the work for a further 5 years

a) The Development Control Team Leader highlighted that this was an application to vary condition 1 of planning permission reference C17/0772/36/LL for a new sub-station and associated infrastructure in order to extend the development commencement period for an additional 5 years. It was stated that the substation compound was required to provide space for the single electrical transformer that would 'reduce' the 400kv voltage of the Pentir-Trawsfynydd circuit to a voltage of 132kv. When application C17/0772/36/LL had been submitted, the work was associated with the proposed Wylfa Newydd. When the plans for Wylfa Newydd fell through, the work associated with the electricity substation was not undertaken. By now, the same work was needed to connect to offshore wind farms, so that they could connect to the wider electricity network.

The application was submitted to the Committee as it involved a site measuring over 0.5 hectares.

It was explained that the purpose of the application was to extend the development commencement period for a further five years, and that there was no proposed change to the plan. It was added that the principle of this proposal had already been accepted and established by the Local Planning Authority by means of planning permission C17/0772/36/LL. The Committee was therefore asked to consider whether the circumstances or the planning policy situation had changed since the application was originally approved.

It was noted that Policy ISA 1 was relevant to the provision of new infrastructure and stated that proposals for water, electricity, gas services etc. to improve the provision, were permitted subject to detailed planning considerations. It was added that Strategic Policy PS5 in the current LDP supported development proposals where it could be shown that they were consistent with sustainable development principles. In respect of this development, the obvious need for the proposed sub-station was demonstrated and although it was located outside any specific development boundaries; the sub-station had been through the design appraisal process, and the preferred option was located near the existing 400Kv Pentir - Trawsfynydd overhead line.

In the context of biodiversity, flooding and drainage matters, it was noted that no objections had been received from Natural Resources Wales, the Biodiversity Unit of the Water and Environment Unit of YGC.

It was not considered that the proposal to extend the period of time given under permission number C17/0772/36/LL for commencing the development was contrary to the relevant local and national policies or guidance, and the proposal was considered to still be acceptable subject to the inclusion of relevant conditions as had been imposed on the previous permissions.

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

· The plan was simple and clear

· The need for the compound remained

· No objections had been received

· He had consulted with local residents during the original application

· The only 'impact' would be by the main road during the construction work

· The Community Council had no objection

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

RESOLVED: To approve with conditions

1. Five years

2. Ensure that the development is completed in accordance with the plans and documents submitted in application C17/0772/36/LL together with the revised plan for diverting the public footpath which was approved in application C18/0168/36/LL and the Ecological Evaluation Report and the Flood Consequence Assessment Report submitted with the current application.