Agenda item

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Chief Officer (Planning & Environment) and the following additional conditions:

31.    Phasing plan to ensure conversion of the Listed Building prior to commencement on the new build element.

32.    Standard drainage conditions.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) in respect of this application.  The usual consultations had been undertaken and the responses received detailed in the report.  Additional comments received since the preparation of the report were circulated at the meeting.

The officer explained that this was a full planning application with accompanying Listed Building Consent for residential development of 89 units at the site, amending the previous consent given for 47 units in 2014.  Due to the cost implications in converting the Listed Building, the new developer had submitted a different scheme.  The viability assessment indicated only minor profit from the scheme, however the development did seek to achieve the main objective to preserve the Listed Building which had been deteriorating over time.  No objections had been received from statutory parties and it was recommended that an additional condition be included on phasing to ensure conversion of the Listed Building before new build elements, together with standard drainage conditions by Welsh Water.  Clarification was also given on the number of units in each block.

Councillor Gareth Roberts proposed to accept the officer recommendations with the additional conditions.  He referred to developers’ obligations to communities and expressed his disappointment that this would not be the case on this application.  However, he supported the scheme and particularly welcomed the work phasing as this would help to improve the appearance of the front of the building.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Chris Bithell who sought clarification on whether the proposed 122 car parking spaces were adequate for the scale of the development.

Councillor Richard Jones pointed out that references to the ‘viability’ and ‘competitiveness’ of applications should not form part of any report if these were not deemed material considerations.

Councillor Mike Peers agreed with the view shared by Councillor Jones.  In terms of parking spaces, he pointed out that the development of new build units on the car park area reduced parking capacity.  He asked for the number of spaces needed for the new build block and whether the required number of 133 spaces could be provided.

In response to the issues raised, the officer confirmed the inclusion of an additional condition on the phasing plan to ensure that work on the Listed Building elements were carried out prior to the new build.  In terms of wording used in the report, viability of the scheme was considered to ensure the restoration of the Listed Building to an appropriate standard.  Confidential financial details submitted by the developer had been carefully assessed, allowing the need for some level of profit on the scheme.  Although there were less parking spaces than would normally be required, the scheme was considered acceptable due to a number of other factors such as the nature of the site, proximity to the town centre and the condition for a full Travel Plan.

The Service Manager Strategy referred to the long-term condition of this important Listed Building which would continue to deteriorate if not developed.  He spoke about the impact on the town and felt that the scheme offered a unique opportunity to restore and repair the site, with benefits to the market.

Councillor Roberts commented on the distance from the car park to the town centre.  In summing up, he accepted the officer’s recommendation as the conditions would help to improve the parking situation which he considered to be reasonable and only marginally below the required level.

On being put to the vote, the proposal was carried.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Chief Officer (Planning & Environment) and the following additional conditions:

31.    Phasing plan to ensure conversion of the Listed Building prior to commencement on the new build element.

32.    Standard drainage conditions.