Full application for the erection of a new three storey building to serve as the operations centre for Zip World to include a reception area and associated facilities including a cafe and bar as well as the removal of existing temporary buildings, creation of a new zip wire course, car park, pedestrian boardwalk to connect with the existing visitors car park and installation of a new sewage treatment plant.
Local Member: Councillor Gwen Griffith
Minutes:
(a)
The Senior
Planning Control Officer elaborated on the background of the application,
noting that it was a full application for the erection of a new three-storey
building for the Zip World company, to include a reception area and associated
facilities including a cafe and bar as well as the removal of existing
temporary buildings, creation of a new zip wire course, car park, pedestrian
boardwalk to connect with the existing visitors car park and installation of a
sewage treatment plant. The
application site was located on a platform of slate/stone waste at a lower
level than the site which was currently used.
It was noted that
the site was located within the boundary of Penrhyn
Quarry on the outskirts of Bethesda, and would use the same entrance to the
Quarry as was currently used. The Zip
World business which had been established within the Quarry had developed as an
extremely successful and popular attraction, contributing to the local economy
and also providing a link to the area’s economic heritage. As a result there
was demand for the provision of a building that would improve the attraction’s
image in future.
Policy D8 of the
Gwynedd Unitary Development Plan related to the expansion of existing
enterprises, existing businesses or other enterprises if they conformed to
specific criteria regarding the appropriateness of the existing use in relation
to the surrounding area and adjacent uses and how relevant they were to the
existing work. It was also noted that a Language and Community Statement must
be submitted with this proposal due to the size of floor space exceeding 1000m2.
It was explained that the Joint Planning Policy Unit had confirmed that it was
not anticipated that the development would have a significant impact on
immigration to the area, and that it therefore complied with the requirements
of policy A2 above.
Attention was
drawn to the additional observations received about late information which had
come to hand requesting that consideration should be given to relocating the
building and the car park on another site within the red line, due to problems
that had become evident in relation to the development in the location shown as
part of the current application.
(b)
Taking
advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s agent noted the following
points:-
·
That the
location needed to be moved slightly, within the red lines, as the foundations
were not suitable
·
The
attraction drew visitors to North Wales
·
The
current facilities were insufficient for visitors and staff and the provision
needed improvement
·
The
building would be used as the Company’s Headquarters which now operated
throughout the United Kingdom
·
20 additional
people would be employed
(c)
The Local
Member (who was a member of this Planning Committee), noted the following
points:
·
The
employment generated by the company was important to Gwynedd
·
The small
zip wire for children would provide a family attraction
·
Better
resources required for staff
·
A company
investing locally
·
The
company’s decision to locate its headquarters in Gwynedd was a positive sign of
its commitment to the County
·
85,000
used the zip wire annually – the business was developing
·
A request
to encourage bilingual signage
(ch) Proposed and seconded – to
approve the application.
(d)
Matters
arising from the discussion:
·
The
attraction had grown quickly and the further improvement of the resource by the
company was to be welcomed, which would also upgrade the attractions of north
Wales
RESOLVED to delegate powers to the Senior
Planning Manager to approve the application, subject to the receipt of plans
relating to the new location of the building and the car park, and the receipt
of favourable observations following a second consultation period.
Conditions:
1. Five
years
2. In
accordance with the plans
3. Complete the mitigation measures in accordance with the
ecological report and the addendum.
4. The use of the café/bar and shop within the building
approved here to be restricted to uses linked to the main use as a zip wire
course only.
5. The mitigation must be achieved in accordance with the ecological
report 05.05.2015
6. A
programme of archaeological work to be submitted.
7. Slate
8. Materials
Note: bilingual signage
Supporting documents: