Conversion of existing building into three self-catering holiday units.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor R Hefin Williams
Minutes:
Convert existing buildings into three self-serviced holiday units
(a) The
Development Control Officer elaborated on the background of the application and
noted that the application was in accordance with policies C4 and D15 of the
GUDP and was therefore acceptable in principle.
It was acknowledged that it was inevitable that some noise and
disturbance would emanate from the site, but, given that the site was on the
outskirts of a cluster of 21 existing houses, it was not considered that the
disturbance emanating from three holiday units would cause additional
significant harm to residents' amenities.
It
was noted that the Community Council did not object to the proposal but that it
highlighted its concern that the road leading to the site was narrow and that
additional traffic could cause problems.
Attention was also drawn to the fact that the Transportation Unit
accepted, although the development would be likely to lead to an increase in
traffic levels along the local road network, that increase would not be an
unreasonable increase or be harmful to the safety of the road network.
It
was noted that considerable correspondence showed evidence of historic flood
incidents in the area including allegations that the local sewerage system was
insufficient to cope with any increased use.
Welsh Water had confirmed that there was capacity in the public sewer
system to take sewage from three additional units provided that no surface
water or land drainage water flowed into the system. Attention was drawn to the
fact that NRW or Gwynedd Consultancy's Land Drainage Department did not have an
objection to the development. It was
confirmed that the buildings would not be extended and the surface of the
parking area would be of slate chippings therefore there would not be an
increase in hard surfaces on the ground, and consequently, the development
would not be likely to exacerbate water drainage problems in any way.
Attention was drawn to the additional
observations that had been received.
The development was acceptable in terms of relevant
local and national policies for the reasons noted in the report.
(b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, an
objector noted the following main points:
·
Concerns in terms of road safety;
·
The proposal would affect the human rights of the
residents that were protected by Articles 2 and 8 of the European Convention on
Human Rights (ECHR);
·
That an application had been refused approximately
30 years ago because the road was too narrow;
·
That she objected to the balcony because it would
lead to overlooking.
(c) Taking advantage of the opportunity to
speak, the applicant noted the following points:
·
The intention of the application was to use the
buildings for a sustainable business to enable his children to return to the
area;
·
That they wished to take advantage of the green
holiday market and provide a plot of land for wildlife on the site;
·
That the Transportation Unit was of the opinion
that there would not be a substantial increase in traffic;
·
That the proposal provided eight parking spaces on
the site and that he was prepared to create a new passing place;
·
That the application
would ensure economic use of the farm buildings.
(ch) The local member (a member of this Planning Committee) made the
following main points:
·
Concern regarding road safety along the narrow
road, an additional eight cars would overload the road;
·
That there were sewerage problems in the area, the
proposal would overload the system;
·
Despite the applicant's numerous vows, should there
be a change in the site's ownership, there would be a risk in terms of the
future generations;
·
To ask the Planning Committee to visit the site.
(d) In response to these observations, the
Senior Planning Manager noted:
·
That there was a robust recommendation before the
committee and that the statutory bodies had not objected;
·
That the applicant volunteered further provisions
in terms of passing places on the road and a parcel of land for wildlife on the
site;
·
That the site could be visited to see the passing
places on the road.
RESOLVED to approve the application.
Conditions:
1.
Five years
2. In accordance with the plans.
3. Materials for the balcony to be agreed.
4. Holiday use only/keep a register
5. Withdrawal of permitted development rights
6. Biodiversity condition
7. Need to agree on a surface water and land water drainage plan
8. Creation of parking spaces prior to the occupancy of the holiday
units
9. Agree on the location and
create a passing place for cars on the applicant's land prior to the
commencement of the development and for it to be retained.
10. Create a wildlife area
Supporting documents: