Agenda item

Full application for a change of use of land to create a new cemetery for the village of Tudweiliog and vicinity and works to create access and parking area and landscaping.

 

Local Member: Councillor Gareth Tudor Jones

 

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To approve the application with conditions

 

1.         Five years to commence the work.  

2.         In accordance with plans.  

3.         Slates and finish to match. 

4.         Install opaque glass in the back windows on the first floor.   

5.         Biodiversity Enhancements 

6.         Welsh Water Condition 

 

Information note: Welsh Water, Biodiversity 

 

Full application to change the land use to create a new cemetery for the village of Tudweiliog and the surrounding area along with works to create an access and parking site and landscaping.

 

Attention was drawn to the late observations form which confirmed that the Transportation Unit had no objection to the application.

 

a)               The Planning Manager explained that this was a full application from Tudweiliog Community Council to change the use of existing agricultural land to create a new public cemetery to contain 393 graves for the village of Tudweiliog and the surrounding area. ⁠ ⁠The proposed development would involve the creation of a new vehicular entrance, the creation of an access walkway, a car park and landscaping works and to erect an earthen 'clawdd'.

 

It was highlighted that the site was located on the outskirts of the village of Tudweiliog and outside the current development boundary and the land was currently open agricultural land surrounded by 'cloddiau' and hedges. It was noted that the site and the wider area were within the Llŷn and Enlli Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and the West Llŷn Special Landscape Area.

 

In the context of access, it was noted that the access road from the adjacent highway was also used for access to neighbouring residential houses, a public house and Ysgol Gynradd Tudweiliog. It was reiterated that the school had a separate car park with dedicated entrances in and out of the unclassified road. It was noted that the access road also included a public footpath designation that runs parallel to the southern boundary of the site.

 

It was explained that the application was being submitted to the Planning Committee because of the applicant's relationship to a current member of the Planning Service staff. ⁠ ⁠

 

It was considered that the proposal as submitted was acceptable on the basis that

·       policy ISA 2 supported developments for public facilities as long as the proposal meets certain specific criteria. ⁠

·        When new facilities are proposed outside a development boundary, it must be demonstrated that the proposed location is the best available location and is accessible to the community.

 

Reference was made to confirmation received from the Community Council detailing the current situation of the village cemetery stating that only two possible new graves could be provided there and that this was the only site available to meet the need. While there was concern about the location of the proposal, it was accepted that the village's current situation of failing to provide a vital facility for the future was a complex issue and an obvious solution was needed. Other suitable lands were not available in or directly adjacent to the development boundary and therefore another site had to be considered.  Having considered all relevant information and evidence, it was considered that there was justification for the creation of a new cemetery at this location and therefore the considerations of the location met the relevant requirements of policy ISA 2.

 

The officers considered the application to be consistent with all relevant policies and planning considerations and recommended that the application be approved with conditions.

 

b)               Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Local Member made the following observations.

·        That he supported the application.

·        The existing cemetery was almost full and there was no suitable land in front of the existing cemetery. Therefore, it was necessary to search urgently for a new site for a cemetery.

·        That the Community Council has been very busy looking for suitable land.

·        He thanked the landowner for the land – the location was suitable, nice, quiet and open.

·        That there was adequate parking space. The site was accessible.

·        There was no impact on the public footpath and no risk of flooding.

·        This addressed the requirements of policy ISA 2.

·        The primary school, which was located nearby, was supportive of the application.

·        He suggested that the transport management plan/parking condition, should refer to the management of the road to the cemetery and the road past the school.

 

During his address, he expressed that he was a Governor at Ysgol Gynradd Tudweiliog. The Monitoring Officer noted that the Member should have declared this at the start of the meeting.

 

In response to the comments about the Transport/Parking Management Plan condition, the Assistant Head of Environment stated that the condition in its full form would address wider parking arrangements.

 

c)               It was proposed and seconded to approve the application

 

RESOLVED: To approve the application subject to the following conditions:

 

1. Time.

2. Compliance with plans.

3. Highway issues/agree on a Transport/Parking Management Plan. 

4. Biodiversity Matters.

5. Landscaping.

6. Drainage matters.

7. Protection of the public footpath.

8. Construction management plan.

9. Natural Resources Wales condition.

10. Completion of boundary treatments.