Outline application with some matters reserved to erect eight affordable dwellings (one pair and two terraces of three) along with adapting the existing access, parking areas, estate road and gardens for the individual houses
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Elwyn Jones
Minutes:
Outline application, with some reserved matters,
to construct eight affordable houses (one set of semi-detached houses and two
terraces of three) along with modifications to an existing access, parking
spaces, road to the estate and gardens for the individual houses
(a)
The
Planning Manager elaborated on the background of the application, and noted that
the site abutted the development boundary of the Local Village of Brynrefail
and entailed the construction of eight houses in a crescent form. Attention was drawn to the fact that this was
an outline application and the details on the plans were indicative only. In the 1980s the site was used as a truck
yard, however, this use ended in 1985 and because of its previous use, this
site was considered to be brownfield.
Reference
was made to the relevant planning policies within the report together with the
further observations received from Llanddeiniolen Community Council as noted in
the additional observations form that stated support to the application with no
objection.
In
terms of the principle of the development, the Council's Strategic Housing Unit
noted that providing eight affordable houses addressed the area's needs. It was
noted that the Planning and Affordable Homes Statement confirmed that the
indicative internal layout and design of the houses met the requirements and
therefore the houses could be transferred to a housing association. A copy of a letter from the Grŵp Cynefin
was received, indicating their willingness in principle to develop housing on
the site.
Attention
was drawn to paragraphs 5.7 - 5.11 in the report that noted that amenity and
transportation matters were acceptable.
In terms of biodiversity, it was considered that the development was
acceptable if appropriate conditions were imposed. It was noted that the site was not within a
C1 Flood Zone and no objection had been received by Welsh Water, Natural
Resources Wales or the Council's Drainage Unit.
Following
full consideration of all planning matters and the objections received in
response to public consultation it was recommended to delegate power to the
Senior Planning Manager to approve the application subject to relevant legal
obligations concerning ensuring that the eight houses were affordable for
general local need and material planning conditions. However, a request was made to amend
condition eight listed in the report to read "that the developer
undertakes the development in accordance with the assessment submitted by the
agent in order to ensure that the work is undertaken appropriately in terms of
pollution".
(b)
Taking
advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s Agent noted the following main
points:
1.
Japanese
Knotweed - that the applicants were aware of the problem and consequently they
had employed a qualified contractor to treat this invasive plant and the
treatment had commenced last August and was restricted to sections of the
site. The applicants were willing to
discuss how to dispose of the rest in accordance with condition six in the
report.
2.
Sufficient
need for affordable housing - Welsh Government target for affordable housing
was 20,000 by 2021. No new social housing house had been built in Brynrefail
for at least 30 years and only nine general social housing dwellings remained
out of the 190. There was a real need
for a mixture of social housing that people could live in and Tai Teg had noted
that 28 families had shown an interest in living in Brynrefail. That the proposal met with the local need
and there was an agreement with Grŵp Cynefin for them to buy some of the
plots to develop affordable rented housing.
3.
Surface
water and flooding - the area was not within a C1 Flood Zone and the matter of
controlling surface water was to be discussed in accordance with the Welsh
Water condition.
4.
Risk
of contaminated land - an assurance was given that a desktop investigation had
already been undertaken and noted that the site was favourable for development,
however, the applicants were ready for a more detailed inspection to be
undertaken to see if any ground pollution existed or otherwise
5.
Access
- although this was not a planning issue, the applicants had the appropriate
rights to gain access to the site for the proposal in question that complied
with the requirements of road management.
6.
That
the proposal was acceptable in terms of requirements and the applicants had
worked hard to ensure that the proposal met with the need for affordable
housing and was acceptable in terms of the amenities of neighbours, access, the
environment and infrastructure.
(c)
The Local Member noted that although he had
considered the application with an open mind, he felt that the application was
ambitious bearing in mind that the Joint Local Development Plan recommended
nine houses for Rhiwlas and eight houses for Penisarwaun and the application
before them was for eight houses outside the Brynrefail boundary which was a
much smaller village.
The
original opinion of the Community Council was to object, as there was no
representative from Brynrefail on the Community Council.
Following
a discussion with the residents of Brynrefail they objected to the application
as the development was too large for the village. In addition, concern had been
expressed about parking in the village and the development would increase the
traffic problem. Recently an excessive
amount of cars had parked on the street and there were even cars parked outside
the playground and because of a lack of a pavement the children had to walk
near the white line in the centre of the road to go to and from the play area.
It
was further noted that the issue of Japanese Knotweed continued, and although
Brynrefail residents agreed that the site was an eyesore they were of the
opinion that the development was too large.
(ch)
It was proposed and seconded to
approve the application.
(d)
An amendment to visit the site was proposed,
seconded and a vote was taken and the proposal carried.
(dd)
During the ensuing discussion the following points were highlighted: by
individual members:
·
That
it was important to listen to the views of the Local Member and the importance
of visiting the site bearing in mind the local objections.
·
It
was asked if the applicants would contribute towards play equipment for the
village children in accordance with the right of children to play safely.
·
A
safe path should lead to the play area
·
It
was asked if the plan included sufficient parking spaces for the development
(e)
In
response to the above observations, the Planning Manager and the Senior Development
Control Officer - Transport noted:
·
That
the size of the development did not reach the threshold of need to make a
financial contribution for play equipment and the play area in question was
close to the site and within walking distance
·
That
there were sufficient parking areas and a condition would be imposed to ensure
the appropriate number to correspond to the number of houses that are part of
the development.
·
It
was not believed that the development would exacerbate the current parking
difficulties on the street.
Resolved: To ask the Senior
Planning Service Manager to arrange for the Planning Committee to visit the
site.
Supporting documents: