Outline application with some matters reserved for the development of 77 apartments in 4 buildings, construction of a new vehicular access with the provision of internal roads and car parking areas and associated facilities.
Local Member: Councillor Jean Forsyth
Minutes:
An outline
application with some reserved matters for constructing four buildings to
provide 77 living units, creating a new vehicular access with associated roads,
parking spaces and ancillary facilities.
(a) The Planning Control Manager further clarified
that this was an application for outline consent for the proposal which
includes details of the vehicular access and the layout of the buildings within
the site, to include 7 buildings with 77 living units or self-contained flats. It was explained that the site was located
within the development boundaries of the city of Bangor, that had been
designated as a sub-regional centre in the Gwynedd Unitary Development Plan
(July 2009). The site was in a comparatively prominent location and parallel to
the lower end of the High Street within the area known as Hirael. The site was most recently
used as a business selling construction goods (Jewsons),
this use had now come to an end. All
the buildings had been demolished and the entire site lay dormant.
(b)
The
principle of the development was the main consideration in this case and given
the details that had been submitted for approval as part of an outline
application along with the location of the site within a residential area and
within the Bangor city development boundary it was believed that the proposal
was acceptable in terms of this matter.
(c) It was noted that the
individual units would vary in size, subject to being a one or two bedroom
unit; however, they all included their own kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The site occupied a comparatively prominent location in this part of the City
of Bangor. The site was surrounded by
residential dwellings which varied in size, design and finish. The Strategic Housing Unit stated that there
was general demand for affordable housing in Bangor, and therefore 23
affordable units should be included as part of this scheme. It appeared that the average price of two
bedroom flats in the Bangor area was £116,000, while one bedroom flats were
£90,000. It was noted the applicant had provided a detailed report in the form
of an assessment of the local housing market and the need, and in this case,
due to the size and value of the units, it was considered that the units were
already affordable in any case.
Attention was drawn to the
additional observations that had been received.
(ch) It
was proposed and seconded that the application should be deferred as
insufficient information had been submitted.
A vote was taken on the motion. The
motion fell.
Proposed and seconded – to approve the
application.
(b) The following observations were noted in
favour of the recommendation
·
Commend
the fact that the developer had listened and responded to the Committee’s
observations
·
The number
of units had been substantially reduced, and sufficient space between the
blocks
·
The
surface area had been dormant for some time and attracted pollution.
·
There was
insufficient local provision for units for single people, and therefore this
development responded to the demand
·
A request
for an affordable housing condition, and a condition that they were units for
local people
(dd)
The
following observations were noted contrary to the recommendation
·
Concern at
the lack of investment to regenerate the city centre
·
Concern
that these would be units for students and not for the open market. The reduction in student numbers and as a
result these units would add to the number of vacant units in the city
(e) In response to the observations, it was noted
that there was statistical evidence proving beyond doubt that there was a need
for units of this size. With regard to
the provision of houses for local people, it was noted that there was no
relevant planning policy for the inclusion of a condition for provision solely
for local people. In relation to the affordable housing element, it was agreed
to include a condition to include an affordable housing mechanism.
RESOLVED to delegate powers to the Senior
Planning Service Manager to approve the application, subject to making
arrangements to ensure a suitable provision of affordable housing.
Conditions:
1. The
start of the development and the timeframe for submitting reserved matters
2. Details of reserved matters
3. Materials
4. Slate
5. Polluted
Land/noise
6. Surface
water / Welsh Water conditions
7. Highway
conditions
8. Archaeology
9. Eradicate
invasive plants
10. Maximum
building height
11. Affordable housing arrangements
Supporting documents: