Agenda item

            That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Head of Planning and subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Obligation, Unilateral Undertaking or advance payment of £733 per unit in lieu of on site play provision.

            If the obligation pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as outlined above) is not completed within six months of the date of the committee resolution, the Head of Planning be given delegated authority to REFUSE the application. 

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning 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 detailed the background to the report explaining that the application had been deferred at the meeting of the Committee held on 19^th June 2013 to consider potential alternative options to access the site other than from Abbey Drive, having regard to concerns over the width and alignment of Abbey Drive itself.  Other options had been explored but none were acceptable and it was therefore considered that the original recommendation of approval was appropriate.  

                        Mr. D. Scanlon, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  He said that the property was vacant and it was felt that the proposal for low density residential units was a viable solution.  The access would remain as it was and he asked Members to accept the recommendation and approve the application. 

                        Councillor Dowie from Llanasa Community Council spoke against the application.  On the issue of access he expressed concern that Highways and Public Protection had not submitted objections to the application.  He said that there were two grade II listed pillars at the entrance to the site which were only 10 feet apart and there was no pavement in the area.  He added that due to the narrow width of the road, two cars were not able to pass each other and he felt that this was dangerous.  Councillor Dowie said that the Community Council and the local MP were against the application and reminded Members that previous change of use proposals for the building had been refused.             

            Councillor Gareth Roberts proposed the recommendation for approval which was duly seconded.  He felt that this was the most suitable route to the site and that the pillars would provide traffic calming ensuring that traffic reduced its speed.  The application complied with policy and Councillor Roberts therefore felt that it could not be refused. 

            The local Member, Councillor Sharon Williams, spoke in support of the application.  She said that the proposed apartments would attract professional people to the area and added that the applicant had overcome the concerns raised.  The proposal complied with highway standards and she therefore asked the Committee to support the officer’s recommendation. 

            Councillor Mike Peers queried why the route from Llanasa Road was unacceptable as he felt that it would be a compromise.  In response, the officer explained that this would involve the construction of a new access road within a conservation area, which would effectively cut an agricultural field in half and as such the road could not be fenced off and would result in a significant difference in levels.    

            RESOLVED:

            That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Head of Planning and subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Obligation, Unilateral Undertaking or advance payment of £733 per unit in lieu of on site play provision.

            If the obligation pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as outlined above) is not completed within six months of the date of the committee resolution, the Head of Planning be given delegated authority to REFUSE the application.