Outline application for
the erection of nine dwellings to include three affordable dwellings and
improvements to existing access.
Local Member: Councillor Eric Merfyn Jones
Minutes:
Outline application for the erection of nine dwellings
to include three affordable dwellings and improvements to existing access.
(a)
The Senior Development Control Officer
elaborated on the background of the application, noting that the application
site was within the development boundary of Llandwrog and had been specifically
allocated for housing in the GUDP.
It was noted that all of the properties would be two
storey houses and attention was drawn to the additional observations received.
Also, reference was made to the Transportation Unit’s
recommendation that a condition should be imposed to provide a footway (to be
adopted as a highway) along the front of the site. It was noted that it was
possible that this would mean felling trees and clearing/moving a clawdd, but following concerns from the
Biodiversity Unit the applicant's agent had confirmed that there was no
intention to fell trees. It was added
that the original boundaries, such as walls and ‘cloddiau’, contributed as important features to the historic
environment and should be retained.
It was reported that discussions would continue with the
Transportation Unit, and it was asked if it was decided to approve the
application to delegate the right to the
Senior Planning Manager to approve the application, that it should be
done subject to receipt of favourable observations from the Transportation Unit
and the Buiodiversity Unit and imposing appropriate conditions.
The
development complied with the GUDP for the reasons noted in the report.
(b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the
applicant’s agent noted the following main points:-
• That an outline application for the site had been approved
in 2010 and that this was an application to renew planning permission;
• That the application site had been allocated for housing;
• That a linguistic assessment had been formed for the
development;
• That all buildings would be two-storey only;
• That all houses would have a garage and a driveway and
therefore there would be no impact in the area in terms of parking;
• That the Cynefin Group had expressed interest in the
development;
• That the proposal would provide much needed housing in the
area;
• Requested that the application be approved.
(c) The following main points were made by the
local member (not a member of this Planning Committee):-
·
That there was a feeling amongst locals that the
houses would be over three-storeys, but that confirmation had been received
that the development was for two-storey houses;
·
That concerns had been expressed in terms of the
impact on the Maes Gwydion entrance, but confirmation had been received that
there would be no impact on the entrance as parking provision had been included
in the development;
·
That the proposal responded to requirements.
Proposed
and seconded – to approve the application.
(ch) During the discussion, the following observations were made:
·
Concerns in terms of cutting the hedgerows and
the impact this would have on bats;
·
That it was a shame that the road would not be
adopted as a highway and that an agreement should be sought in terms of
adopting it;
·
That the class road in this area was winding,
and therefore road safety should be ensured;
·
There would be no problems in terms of parking
as parking spaces had been included as part of the development;
·
How affordable would the affordable houses be?
(d) In response
to the above observations, the officers noted:-
·
In terms of adopting the road as a highway,
building it to a safe standard to enable its adoption was a matter for the
developer;
·
A further investigation would be necessary to
determine the value of the affordable houses but that it usually meant a
discount of around 30% on the value of open market housing in the area.
RESOLVED to
delegate the right to the Senior Planning Manager to approve the application
subject to the applicant signing a Section 106 Agreement to ensure that three
of the nine units are affordable houses for general local need together with
discussing and receiving favourable observations from the Transportation Unit
and the Biodiversity Unit, and to relevant conditions relating to:
1. The commencement the development and submitting reserved
matters
2. Materials and finishes
3. Access and parking
4. Landscaping
5. Removal of development rights for the affordable homes
6. Welsh Water/Natural Resources Wales (drainage)
7. Development to comply with the approved plans
8. Condition to safeguard trees and hedgerows.
Supporting documents: