Side extension, installation of septic tank and construction of new access road.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor W. Gareth Roberts
Minutes:
Side extension, installation of septic tank and
construction of new access road.
(a) The
Senior Development Control Officer elaborated on the background of the
application and noted that the application site was located within the AONB and
a Landscape of Outstanding Historical Interest.
It
was noted that the extension in terms of its design, scale and size was
acceptable and commensurate to the existing property.
Attention
was drawn to the AONB Unit's observations that the proposed extension was in
keeping with the original building and that there were no concerns in terms of
the impact on the AONB. After receiving observations from the AONB Unit
regarding the access track, it was recommended to impose a condition, should
the application be approved, to submit landscaping details for the track and
specifically for the eastern boundary.
The
development complied with the GUDP for the reasons noted in the report.
(b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the representative of an objector
noted the following main points:
·
That he was speaking on behalf of the family of Fferm Bryn who were agricultural tenants of the applicant;
·
That the applicant had not consulted with the
tenants prior to submitting the application;
·
That the farm was approximately 100 acres and
losing a little land would have an impact and would threaten the farm's
viability;
·
That the owner had confirmed to the tenants
verbally that the site would not be sold;
·
That it would be better to locate the extension
behind the house, rather than on the side, in order to avoid the agricultural
land;
·
That a report needed to be submitted regarding bats
and the white owl that roosted in the outbuildings.
(c) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s agent
noted the following main points:-
·
That the proposal was acceptable in planning terms;
·
Tenancy matters were irrelevant to planning;
·
The Biodiversity Unit, the AONB Unit, the Community
Council nor Natural Resources Wales objected to the proposal.
(ch) The local
member (not a member of this Planning Committee) noted the following main
points:
·
That the extension was in keeping with the current
building;
·
That he agreed with the observations in the report
in terms of the need to erect a clawdd and to use the excavated soil to create the access
track;
·
That a survey needed to be carried out to confirm
whether or not bats were present before the work would be carried out.
(d)
In response to the above-mentioned observations, the Planning Manager
noted that the Biodiversity Unit had confirmed that the bat presence risk in
the building was low and that it would be unreasonable to request a full
survey. She added, if the application was approved, as usual, that a note would
be included on the application noting the necessity to stop works if bats were
present. This would be managed outside the planning system.
(dd) It was proposed and seconded to approve the
application.
A
member noted that he could not understand why a new access track in the AONB
was being requested when an access to the site already existed. He proposed an amendment to carry out a site
visit, the amendment was seconded.
During
the ensuing discussion, the following main observations were noted by members:
·
That a landowner had to give notice to an
agricultural tenant;
·
Concern regarding the public footpath with the
adjacent extension;
·
If the applicant would not be able to provide a new
access track, what would the situation be?
(e) In response to the above, the officers noted:
·
That some matters referred to by the
objector's representative were not planning matters and the owner's promises to
the tenants were not a planning consideration.
·
The AONB Unit has no objection to the
proposal;
·
The new access track would facilitate
privacy but unless it would be possible to create a new access track, the
current access would be acceptable.
A
vote was taken on the amendment, and it fell on the Chair's casting vote.
A
vote was taken on the original proposal.
RESOLVED
to approve the
application.
Conditions:
1. Commencement within five years.
2. In
accordance with the plans.
3. Slates of the roof to match.
4. Exterior walls to be of white coloured
render.
5. Landscaping in particular on the eastern side
of the track.
Note:
1. Safeguard the public footpath.
2. Copy of the observations of Natural
Resources Wales.
3. To stop the work if bats are found in the property.
Supporting documents: