Demolition of existing garage and erection of two storey holiday unit.
Local Member: Councillor Eirwyn Williams
Minutes:
To demolish
existing garage and erect a two-storey holiday unit
(a)
The Senior
Development Control Officer elaborated on the application’s background and
noted that the proposal involved the demolition of the existing garage and
erection of a two-storey holiday unit in its place. The site was located near
the development boundary of Cricieth. To the north of the site was the Cambrian
Railway line, and a public car park lay to the south and the west. It was
highlighted that the architecture of the centre of Cricieth
was very traditional, but more modern houses surrounded the application site
and the Morannedd café had been listed as an example
of a Grade II modern building. The design of the building was very modern but
with careful use of materials and colours it was not considered that the
development would be an alien feature.
(b)
An
objection had been received from the owner of the property on the other side of
the railway expressing his concern regarding the effect on the amenities of his
property. In accepting that there would be an adverse effect on the views from
the house towards the castle, the new building would not be exactly in front of
the existing house and the open views towards the south in the direction of the
sea would remain. It was therefore not considered that the development would
have a domineering impact on the residents of the Merllyn
Crossing Cottage. In addition, given the distance that would be between the
buildings, it was not considered that there would be a significant loss of
light deriving from the development, or an oppressive impact.
It was noted that
the proposal was acceptable and that it complied with the GUDP for the reasons
noted in the report. It was noted that
there was an additional clause to safeguard the privacy of Merllyn
Crossing Cottage by installing a privacy screen on the rear balcony and opaque
glass in the first floor rear window.
(c)
Taking
advantage of the right to speak, an objector noted the following main points:-
·
Concern
regarding safe access for users of the Coastal Path
·
Concern
about road safety as the proposed property would block the unobstructed views of
traffic descending the hill and pedestrians crossing the road
·
Concern
that it would impede the views from neighbouring houses
·
There was
a covenant regarding views between neighbours
·
A
two-storey building would spoil the view from their property
(ch) The local member (who was a member of this
Planning Committee) said that he had no objection to the application on
planning grounds, and that he agreed with the recommendation and the
conditions.
(d)
In
response to the observation regarding a private covenant, the Solicitor
explained that this was solely a discussion between the owners, and was of no
consideration to the Planning Committee.
(dd)
Proposed
and seconded – to approve the application.
(e) Observations noted from the discussion:
·
The
existing property was an eye-sore on the side of the road. Cricieth
was a vibrant and prosperous town and the proposal was to be welcomed.
·
There was
a garage on the site, and therefore the site had been busier in the past.
·
The
intended layout was low, and therefore would not be an intrusion to others
·
Consider
single-storey instead of two-storey?
(a) In response to the observation about
considering a single-storey building, it was noted that there had been lengthy
discussions between the candidate and the architect, and it had been accepted
that the proposed design was in keeping with the buildings that had already
been granted planning permission. Concern about the view was the main reason
for the objection and in the context of a ‘view’ there was no ‘right to a view’
in planning terms.
RESOLVED to approve the application.
Conditions
1. Five
years
2. Colours
and materials
3. Holiday
use only/keep a register
4. Withdrawal
of general permitted development rights
5. Water
conditions
6. Comply
with the approved plans
7. Opaque glass in the screen on the balcony and in the first floor rear window
Supporting documents: