Agenda item

A proposal to remove the existing boundary wall in order to provide improved access to Cob Crwn, and to create a new footpath for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Nia Jeffreys

 

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To approve with conditions -

 

1.       5 years

2.       Completion of the proposal in accordance with the Plans

3.       Complete the proposal in accordance with the reasonable mitigation and avoidance measures, and pollution avoidance measures contained within the Initial Environmental Assessment and the tree preservation measures included within the Tree Planning Survey.

4.       Biodiversity enhancements condition

 

Proposal to remove the existing boundary wall to provide better access to Cob Crwn and create a new footpath for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

         Attention was drawn to the Late Observations Form.

        

a)           The Planning Officer highlighted that the existing footpath (an informal one and including a grassed area and an uneven surface) did not comply with the Active Travel standards and the Contemporary Accessibility Standards. The improvement would replace sections of existing grassy surface with a sturdy, level and accessible path.

 

It was reported that the site lied adjacent to the Llyn Bach car park in an area designated as Flood Zone 3 under policy TAN 15, outside the LDP development boundary and within the Area of Outstanding Historic Interest designation. Confirmation was received from the Land Drainage Unit that an element of the application relating to the sustainable drainage system had been approved. Reference was made to the observations from the Biodiversity Unit stating that biodiversity enhancements had not been included as part of the application, but it would be possible to impose conditions.

 

It was considered that Policy ISA 2: Community Facilities was the main consideration of this application, which noted the importance of local community and leisure facilities for the local, social, educational, linguistic and cultural needs of the Plan area, as well as its economic well-being. ⁠It was noted that the proposal was a plan for a public path with seating areas and picnic tables to enjoy the outdoors, which would be accessible for all. It was considered that the proposal and the proposed location was appropriate to the site and accessible to the local community; the proposal was completely acceptable based on the requirements of policy ISA 2 of the LDP

 

In the context of visual amenities, it was not considered that the proposal would significantly impair the visual amenities of the area more than what currently existed. Attention was drawn to an objection received on the grounds of the loss of recreational use of the site, but it was not considered that the path would have a significant detrimental impact on existing users of the site; the proposal was acceptable in terms of Policy PCYFF 2 and PCYFF 3.

 

With access to the site on a footpath and its convenient location from the town of Porthmadog, this would make it accessible in terms of being able to reach it through existing roads and footpaths as well as through the use of public transport (there is a permanent bus stop nearby) as well as a standard size car park at the start of the path. It was not considered that the proposal would likely cause danger that could not be controlled, therefore it was acceptable on the grounds of the relevant requirements of policy PS 4.

 

Reference was made to the fact that the site was located approximately 220m away from the Pen Llŷn a'r Sarnau Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and on the basis of the reasonable avoidance measures relating to otters, as well as measures to avoid pollution during the working period, it was not considered that the proposal would likely have a significant impact on the SAC and was therefore acceptable in terms of the requirements of the Habitats Regulations and policy PS19.

 

It also lied within Flood Zone 3 (Rivers and Sea) together with Protected Zones. As part of the application, a Flooding Consequence Assessment was submitted noting, with the footpath erected higher than the existing land, it would act as an additional layer to protect from flooding. No response had been received by NRW, but it was expected that the proposal complied with the requirements of part 11 of the Technical Advice Note.

 

The Highways Service had no objection to the proposal, and observations and standard advice was received from Welsh Water.

 

In the context of linguistic matters, with the proposal providing a facility for the local community and meaning that more people could enjoy the area, it was not considered that it would be likely to have a detrimental impact on the Welsh language and therefore complied with Policy PS1.

 

With the proposal complying with the relevant Planning policies, the Officers recommended to approve the application with conditions.

 

b)            Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Neighbouring Ward Member made the following observations on behalf of the Local Member;

·        That Cob Crwn was part of Porthmadog residents' everyday life

·        The footpath had a lot of use - hikers, cyclists and birdwatchers

·        The plan was a good one - was beneficial to the mind and body

·        There was no need to close the existing footpath

·        Welcomed the expenditure

·        Supportive of the application

 

c)           It was proposed and seconded to approve the application

 

         RESOLVED: To approve with conditions –

 

1.         5 years

2.         Completion of the proposal in accordance with the Plans

3.         Complete the proposal in accordance with the reasonable mitigation and avoidance measures, and pollution avoidance measures contained within the Initial Environmental Assessment and the tree preservation measures included within the Tree Planning Review.

4.         Biodiversity enhancements condition