Construction of a portal frame building to relocate a vehicle repair business along with improved access, external hardstanding, drainage and landscaping.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Anwen J. Davies
Link
to relevant background documents
Minutes:
Construction of a portal frame building to relocate
a vehicle repairs business and improvements to the access, exterior
hard-standing, drainage and landscaping
(a) The Planning Manager elaborated on the
background of the application, noting that policy D7 of the GUDP stated that
proposals would be approved for small scale workshops/industrial units/business
units if it can be shown that the development site was the most suitable
location to supply the need and provided that the criteria in the policy were
complied with. It was noted that the development in terms of its size was
considered as a small-scale development. It was also requested that the site
was justified as the most suitable to meet the need. It was reported that the applicant had
submitted information on a number of sites that he has considered and that were
unsuitable or unavailable for various reasons.
From the information submitted, it appeared that an effort had been made
to seek an alternative site, including sites on or near existing industrial
sites, and no suitable alternative site was available.
It
was explained that the proposal complied with the criteria under this policy
because:
·
The site was located exactly adjacent to the
development boundary of the village. Although there would be some distance
between the nearest building towards the east, it was considered that the
proposal would be located comparatively close to the buildings in the village
and when the houses with extant planning permission on the southern side of the
county road would be constructed, the proposal would appear as if it was
located within a group of buildings.
·
That the scale of the proposal was acceptable for
the site;
·
That the proposed landscaping would compensate
against the loss of the existing clawdd in order to create a suitable access. As part of the
landscaping details, it would also be possible to request a long-term
landscaping management plan;
·
It was not considered that the proposal would cause
significant harm to the local neighbourhood in terms of its scale, type and
design.
Attention was drawn to the fact that the site lies
within the Llŷn and Bardsey Island Landscape of
Outstanding Historic Interest. In terms of its location and its size, it was
considered that its impact would be local and it would not have a wider impact
on the historic landscape.
It was noted that the development was suitable and
acceptable for the site and that it complied with the local and national
policies and guidelines noted in the report.
(b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s agent
noted the following main points:-
·
That the survey of potential sites for the
relocation of the business highlighted the lack of suitable sites, except for
the site in question;
·
Extending the village's 30mph speed restriction
beyond the site would improve road safety;
·
The proposal would safeguard a business that
employed three full-time and four part-time members of staff;
·
The proposal would safeguard an important service
in the countryside;
·
That the proposal complied with the policies of the
GUDP;
·
That there was no objection to the proposal and
that 80 letters of support had been received from the local neighbourhood.
(c) The local member (not a member of this Planning Committee) noted
the following main points:-
·
That there was a need for employment in the
countryside;
·
That the Community Council, the Transportation
Unit, Natural Resources Wales and the community were in favour of the
application;
·
It had been a trying time for the businesses but
she hoped that the application would be supported.
(ch) It was
proposed and seconded to approve the application.
During
the ensuing discussion, the following main observations were noted by members:
·
That the location was excellent and that the
development would benefit the local economy;
·
Questioned the opening times recommended. It would
be unfair to prevent the business from competing by restricting the hours,
therefore, the opening hours should be changed to between 8am and 6pm and to
also include Saturday morning opening in order to be the same as similar
businesses;
·
Glad that the Council had collaborated with the
applicant to find a solution and expressed gratitude to the applicant and
officers.
In response to the
above-mentioned observations, the Planning Manager noted that the applicant
himself had proposed the opening hours.
RESOLVED to delegate powers to the Senior Planning Manager to approve
the application with conditions, subject to holding discussions with the
applicant in terms of working hours.
Conditions:
1. Commencement within five years.
2. In accordance with plans.
3. The building to be of a green colour BS 12
C 39.
4. Submit and agree upon a plan for the
erection of the clawdd and landscaping as well as
submit a long-term landscaping management plan.
5. Implement the landscaping plan.
6. Cloddiau to be erected prior to the commencement of use.
7. Working hours.
8. Highways conditions
9. Suitable bunds to be built for the tanks.
10. Welsh Water Condition.
11. Lighting plan to be agreed and no other
exterior lights to be installed without written permission from the Local
Planning Authority.
12. No vehicles to be repaired outside the building.
Supporting documents: