Agenda item

Erection of new 2400mm high wire mesh fence to part of playing field boundary

 

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Ioan Thomas

 

Link to relevant background documents

 

DECISION:

To approve with conditions

 

1.     Five years

2.     In accordance with the plans

3.     A dark green colour

4.     Biodiversity enhancements

 

Note

 

This permission does not cover any work to trees that are protected under a Tree Preservation Order.  Separate consent will be required for any works to the protected trees.

 

 

 

Erect a new 2400mm high fence around part of the playing field boundary of Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen

 

a)     The application was submitted to the Planning Committee because the Local Member had declared an interest and provided comments on the application. 

 

It was highlighted that comments from the statutory and public consultation mostly referred to concerns arising from neighbours stating that it was an unnecessary development creating a visual impact, an impact on residential amenities and a human rights impact. A letter had also been received supporting the fence because there were problems with stones being thrown, trespassing on private property and litter being thrown into gardens.

 

Reference was made to Policy ISA 2, relating to community facilities that included schools, and stated that the LDP would assist in the maintenance and improvement of community facilities. The proposal would be located on the boundaries of an existing school and the fence would be needed around the building to improve security within the school grounds.  In terms of principle, the proposal was considered to be reasonable and in line with the principle of Policy ISA 2 of the LDP.

 

The proposed fence would be a green "weldmesh", which is a see-through fence – therefore it was considered that it would not create a closed or oppressive view of the school or the surrounding houses. As it was in keeping with the existing school fencing and allowed visibility, it was considered that it would not create a visual impact in the area, and it therefore complied with Policy PCYFF 3.

 

It was reported that some neighbouring residents had objected on the grounds of visual impact and oppressive feeling, but it was noted that fencing of this type was common in schools to protect staff and pupils. As similar fencing already existed around the site, the proposal was consistent with the environment. The new fence would be approximately 4-5 metres from the rear of the houses, providing an adequate gap so that it did not have a significant impact on private amenities. It was reiterated that consideration had to be given to the need to protect pupils and school grounds as well as the land outside the school from damage, and on balance it was considered that this type of fence would not cause significant harm to the amenities of the local neighbourhood, and therefore it complied with Policy PCYFF 2 of the LDP. In addition, it was highlighted that trees had a protection order along the boundary with a condition to be imposed to ensure that no work on the trees was carried out without prior permission – this would protect the trees as part of the development.

 

The proposal did not meet the thresholds for the submission of a Welsh Language Statement or a Welsh Language Impact Assessment Report; however, it was not considered to be detrimental to the Welsh language and therefore it complied with the requirements of Policy PS 1.

 

It was considered that the planning matters had been addressed in full with some comments referring to operational matters. The land ownership certificate was not considered to be incorrect, as the applicant was acting on behalf of the school and the Council, and the content of certain documents submitted was not considered to be incorrect or defective. It was reiterated that it was a matter for the applicant to contact neighbouring landowners and there was no obligation to do this under the Planning system.

 

It was considered that the proposal was acceptable and complied with the relevant policies. It was recommended to approve the application with conditions.

 

b)     It was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

 

c)     During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by Members:

·        The layout of the fence on the boundary appeared intrusive – installing it 3-4 metres away from the wall would be acceptable

·        The access to the gap between the fence and the wall would have to be managed – a need to conduct discussions to get this sorted

·        The fence appeared to be oppressive – needed to discuss and agree on its location

 

In response to an observation regarding reducing the height of the fence to 2m as 2.4m appeared high and whether the intention was to safeguard children or keep children in, it was noted that 2.4m was in line with other fences around the school. It was reiterated that a 2m fence could be erected without Planning permission.

 

In response to observations relating to the location of the fence, it was noted that discussions would be held with those residents who had gardens abutting the fence and that it was possible to impose a condition to agree on the exact location. It was reiterated, although sufficient information had been submitted to confirm the location of the fence, there would be a need to hold discussions with the landowners to get rights of access to operate.

 

RESOLVED: To approve with conditions

 

1.     Five years

2.     In accordance with the plans

3.     A dark green colour

4.     Biodiversity enhancements

 

Note

 

This permission does not cover any work to trees that are protected under a Tree Preservation Order.  Separate consent will be required for any works to the protected trees.