Application for the erection of 10 affordable units.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Eirwyn Williams
Link to relevant background documents
Minutes:
The
Vice-chair chaired the committee for the application above as the Chair had
declared a personal interest and had left the Chamber.
Application to erect 10
affordable units.
(a)
The Planning Manager elaborated on the background
of the application, and noted that it had been submitted by Cartrefi Cymunedol
Gwynedd on land that was in its ownership, located within the Cricieth
development boundary and it had been designated as a play area. The decision on
this application had been deferred at the Planning Committee meeting on 27
November 2017 because there had been no quorum and since then it was noted that
the application had been amended to provide a pavement and a crossing on the B4411
and an open space within the site. Reference was made to the late observations
form which noted that the Town Council did not object to the application. It
was noted that the principle of the development was acceptable and complied
with relevant policies as the site plan had been revised to provide a 261
square metre open space/play area within the site. The open space would be used
and would offer better benefits to the community than the vacant land which
currently existed. It was noted that the Transportation Unit was supportive of
the proposal and that the original concerns of Natural Resources Wales
regarding flooding had been resolved by means of relevant conditions. The
planning officers’ recommendation was to approve the application with suitable conditions
along with a permitted development condition and an affordable housing
condition.
(b)
Taking advantage of the
right to speak, the applicant noted the following main points:
·
the proposed development
was located on land designated as open space but it was emphasised that the
land was dormant and had overgrown for over 15 years.
·
the landscape was poor
and a substantial amount of money needed to be spent to re-develop it as a
playing field and financial sources for this type of provision were unavailable
and that there was no intention to create a play area on the land.
·
however, it was noted
that there was an opportunity to develop the site for affordable housing by
means of the Welsh Government's social housing grant.
·
following consultation
with the Planning Department, the provision of a play area was indicated on the
plans and attention was drawn to the fact that there was a play area
approximately 500 metres from the proposed site and it was committed to provide
a crossing for children to be able to cross the road which would benefit new
tenants and also the residents and children of Waun Helyg estate.
·
Over 130 individuals had
registered on the waiting list of the Gwynedd Housing Options Team which
included affordable housing with 2/3 bedrooms in Cricieth.
·
the application would be
a way of developing modern and sustainable housing and address the local
need.
(c)
It was proposed and
seconded to approve the application.
(ch) A
Member noted that while he was supportive of the application in principle, he
was not satisfied with the play facilities and the importance of children being
able to play safely in their areas was emphasised. He was under the impression
that any development had to promote safe playing areas and it was asked how
much funding was provided by the developer to improve play facilities as a
result of depriving the area of this open space / play area.
In response, the
Planning Manager referred to paragraph 5.7 of the report and added that there
was no intention to request a financial contribution as the developer intended
to provide 261 square metres of open space on the site which was sufficient and
the fact that there was an intention to improve the footpath with the play
provision located over the highway to the site.
RESOLVED to
approve subject to the following conditions:
1.
Five years
2.
Complete in
accordance with the plans
3.
Slate
4.
Finish
5.
Highways Conditions
6.
Condition to ensure the pavement and crossing are
completed prior to occupation of the houses
7.
Conditions relating to the finished floor level
8.
Bat mitigation measures
9.
Landscaping and boundary details
10.
Agree on a scheme to protect reptiles
11.
Agree on trees to be disposed of in advance
12.
Eradicate Japanese knotweed
13.
Drainage plan
14.
Permitted development condition
15.
Affordable housing condition
Supporting documents: