Agenda item
Full application for the
construction of 6 residential dwellings (C3 class use) and associated
development including access, parking and landscaping.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Gareth Tudor Jones
Decision:
DECISION:
To delegate powers to the Head of Environment
Department to approve the application subject to a 106 agreement for an
educational contribution and an affordable dwelling, and conditions relating to
the following:
1.
Time
2.
Development to comply with the approved plans
3.
Must agree on external materials including the roofing slates
4.
Removal of permitted development rights relating to the affordable unit and also restrict the ability to change or add new windows
from what is permitted.
5.
Welsh Water Condition
6.
Highways Conditions
7. Biodiversity Conditions
8.
A need to submit a Construction Management
Plan prior to the commencement of the development work
9.
The housing estate and individual houses must be given Welsh names.
10. Restrict the use to C3
use class only
Minutes:
Borthwen Plot, Lôn Rhos, Edern, Gwynedd, LL53 8YN
Full
application to construct 6 residential dwellings (use class C3) with associated
developments including entrance, parking and landscaping
Attention was drawn to the late observations
form which included information in the form of a Housing Statement which
noted the situation locally in terms of the demand for housing and relevant
information relating to the proposed development and the local benefit of
approving it.
a)
The Development Control Team Leader highlighted that this was a full application to construct 6
residential dwellings to include 1 affordable house with associated
developments and works within the Edern development
boundary and within the Llŷn and Ynys Enlli
Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and within the Western Llŷn Special Landscape Area. It was noted that the
development would include constructing one two-storey four-bedroom house, 3
three-bedroom dormer houses and 2 two-storey three-bedroom houses.
It was explained that Lôn Rhos,
which abutted the front of the site, was a class 3 public road with a vehicular
entrance already created into the site. It was elaborated that residential
houses directly abutted some of the site's boundaries with open agricultural
land beyond the southernmost boundary which also included a public footpath
designation.
Although the site was located within the development boundary, it was
highlighted that the development would mean that Edern
would exceed its indicative supply level and as a result, justification was
required for the proposal to demonstrate how the development would address a
local recognised demand. It was noted that the information submitted with the
application did confirm that the houses would directly contribute to the
provision of more housing to meet the current high demand which existed for
this type of permanent residential housing and it was
therefore considered that there was justification and demand for them and that
they addressed the needs of the local community. It was elaborated that, as the
local Primary School was full, an educational contribution would be ensured
through a 106 agreement.
It was considered that the principle of a new residential development would
contribute towards fulfilling the need locally, and there was no evidence to
show that the proposal would have a harmful impact on the language. It was
noted that there was an intention to impose specific conditions to ensure that
Welsh names were agreed for the estate and the houses.
Considering the context of the site and the fact that it would form a
logical extension to the village, it was considered that the setting, design
and materials of the proposed development in its revised form would
appropriately suit the location, and the proposal was also acceptable in terms
of road safety. It was considered that the existing built nature of the area
was varied, but fairly dense as it formed part of an
established village. In addition, it was considered that the distances, land
levels and the presence of the proposed fence and existing vegetation meant
that the houses would not disrupt to a completely unacceptable degree the
amenities of adjacent properties.
The officers
considered that the proposal was acceptable and recommended approving the
application with conditions.
b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant noted the following
observations:
·
He had established the Sbarc
company two years ago with the aim of protecting the community, the language
and education of the area - important principles for his business
·
He had discussed the Porthwen development with the local schools - 15 children
were leaving Ysgol Edern this year with only 7 coming
in - concern about the future of the school
·
Only three houses had
been developed in Edern over the last 10 years
·
The original plans had
been amended - were more suitable to local people and families.
·
Two houses had already
been sold in phase 1 of the development
·
Sbarc already worked
with local people, Council Officers and Housing Associations
c) Taking
advantage of the right to submit observations, the Local Member noted that he
was very supportive of the application for six residential houses in Edern for the following reasons -
·
For the small
coastal/rural village of Edern, this housing
development would be appropriate and suitable due to the fact
that it was on a small scale of six houses.
·
He welcomed the proposal
to ensure a mix of 3/4-bedroom houses and the fact that one house was
affordable, although it would be better if more of the houses were affordable.
·
Nefyn Town Council,
which included many Councillors from Edern, supported
the application.
·
With so many Gwynedd
Schools (Primary and Secondary) seeing a reduction in the number of pupils, it
would be good to see an increase in numbers at Ysgol Botwnnog
and Ysgol Edern over the next few years should this
development be approved in Edern.
·
In terms of 'Visual Amenities', the development
would add to and improve the character and appearance of the site. The
collaboration between Planning officers and the developer was welcomed in terms
of ensuring that there would be no overlooking on nearby properties and nearby
housing residents would not lose privacy.
·
He could vouch that the
location itself was a lovely place in the middle of the village of Edern. It was an ideal place in terms of convenience to
reach Ysgol Edern and the popular playing field.
·
He had every faith that
the developer, namely 'Eiddo Sbarc'
which was a local company, was loyal to its mission of "Building for the
future by creating affordable, sustainable, innovative and aesthetically
pleasing properties. The Welsh language, our culture and heritage are extremely
important to us at Sbarc. We work to transform empty
spaces into thriving communities. We build quality homes and contribute towards protecting and promoting the
Welsh language". The company
already had a good reputation in terms of quality housing provision for Llŷn residents.
·
To ensure that Edern continued to thrive as a viable, lively and
Welsh-speaking village, this development was needed and therefore the Committee
was requested to support the recommendation of the Planning officers and
approve the application.
ch) It was proposed and seconded to approve
the application
a)
During the ensuing discussion,
the following observations were made by Members:
·
The applicant had explained his aspirations well
·
Planning permission
already existed from the site's previous owner
RESOLVED: To delegate the right to
the Head of Environment Department to approve the application, subject to a 106
agreement for an educational contribution and an affordable dwelling and
relevant conditions relating to the following:
1.
Timescale
2.
Development to comply with the approved plans
3.
Must agree on external materials including the
roofing slates
4.
Removal of permitted development rights relating to the affordable unit and also
restrict the ability to change or add new windows from what is permitted
5.
Welsh Water Condition
6.
Highways Conditions
7.
Biodiversity Conditions
8.
A need to submit A
Construction Management Plan prior to the commencement of the development work
9.
The housing estate and individual houses must be
given Welsh names
10. Restrict the use to
C3 use class only
11.
Landscaping
Supporting documents:
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