Agenda item

That planning permission be deferred to seek further clarification from NRW over the justification for the inconsistent stance on this application and another recent application in the area.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) in respect of this application which had been the subject of a site visit on 20 April 2015. The usual consultations had been undertaken and the responses received detailed in the report. An amendment to and additional comments received since the preparation of the report were circulated at the meeting. 

Mrs. S. Speechley, local resident, spoke against the application.  She stated she was the immediate neighbour to the proposed development and expressed concerns that it would have a direct impact on her property.  She referred to the 9.2 metre distance to the gable of her property and the height of the development which she felt was overbearing and visually intrusive to herself and neighbouring properties and was not in keeping with the character and two-storey build of properties in the surrounding area.    She raised concerns around lack of privacy, inadequate parking, and highway safety.  Mrs. Speechley also referred to the objection which had been put forward by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to the proposal.

.           Councillor Christine Jones moved refusal of the application, against officer recommendation, which was duly seconded.  She referred to the site visit which had been undertaken and outlined her concerns regarding the overbearing and intrusive size of the development.  She also stated that the site was located within a flood risk area and drew attention to the objection to the proposal by NRW on the grounds that the Flood Consequences Assessment had failed to demonstrate that the development could be built flood-free in the design flood event. 

Councillors Chris Bithell and Richard  Jones raised concerns around the provision for undercroft parking and the erection of a three storey building.  They also referred to a previous application in the area and said there was a need to seek clarification from NRW over the inconsistency in their stance concerning this proposal. Councillor  D. Butler queried how NRW could express two different views in the same area. Councillor R. Lloyd said that the height was not in keeping and Councillor M. Peers felt that the design needed to be looked at and that he would be more comfortable if the ridge height was reduced.

In responding to the points raised the officer advised that the criteria relating to the similar development for 8 units nearby was the same and that NRW’s stance was inconsistent. In design terms the impact on the amenity of neighbours had been addressed and the ridge height was only 800 mm. higher than the existing buildings. The Development Manager added that the principle of this development was acceptable in planning and sustainability terms and this was the type of development that was needed to help address our lack of housing land supply. Because of the flood risk constraints it was necessary to incorporate the undercroft parking but this had been looked at carefully and officers had addressed the impact on neighbouring properties.

Councillor Chris Bithell proposed deferral of the application which was duly seconded.  He explained that further explanation was required from the NRW as to why there was inconsistency in the decision regarding this proposal and their stance taken on another recent application in the area.

In summary Councillor Christine Jones reiterated the views expressed by Councillor Bithell and stated that justification from NRW for the inconsistent stance should be sought.   

The Chair asked Members to vote on the proposal put forward by Councillor Chris Bithell that the application be deferred and on being put to the vote the proposal was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be deferred to seek further clarification from NRW over the justification for the inconsistent stance on this application and another recent application in the area.