Demolition of the existing building and erection of a new two storey building to provide 8 flats and provision of parking spaces.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Elin Walker Jones
Link to revleant 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.
Demolition of existing building and erection of new
two-storey building to provide eight flats and parking spaces.
(a) The Planning Manager elaborated on the
background of the application, and noted that the proposal involved demolishing
a shop and two existing flats and erecting a new two-storey building in its
place for flats and creation of parking provision. The site was
located within the development boundary of Bangor and had not been allocated or
protected for any use in the Local Development Plan. Reference was made to the
relevant policies and public consultations within the report. It was noted that
Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd was the applicant and that all units were being
offered as affordable dwellings to be socially rented, and the application
included an Affordable Housing Statement. There was clear evidence that there
was a need for such flats for individuals and families on social rent in the
ward, and the Council's Strategic Unit noted that information in terms of need
was consistent with need in the area. It was considered that the proposal was
acceptable in respect of design and appearance. It could be seen from
paragraphs 5.8 to 5.14 of the report that there was no objection to the matters
noted in those sections. The planning officers' recommendation was that the
proposal was acceptable to be approved with relevant conditions.
(b) Taking
advantage of the right to speak, the applicant noted the following main points:
·
Historically, the old
shops in Trem Elidir had been difficult to let and had now been empty for some
time.
·
The flats were very small
and not of suitable standard.
·
It was proposed to
demolish them and construct new flats with the intention of letting them for
social rent and not for students or different units.
·
Housing needs were high
for one and two bedroom units across Bangor wards with over 800 on the waiting
list for a one bedroom unit and over 1000 for 2 bedroom units, and therefore,
it was clear that there would be a number of applications for the eight
proposed flats.
·
Prospective tenants would
be selected from the waiting list administrated by Gwynedd Council's Housing
Options Team which was a register based on a points system and awarded
additional points for individuals with local connections.
·
Gwynedd Council's
Strategic Housing Unit was supportive of the proposal.
·
An appeal was made for
the Planning Committee to approve the application.
(c)
A Member (who was not a
member of this Planning Committee), who was acting on behalf of the Local
Member, noted the following main points:
·
She was supportive of the
planning application.
·
According to the plans,
the ground floor flats were accessible and suitable for older people, people
with disabilities and wheelchair users, and had parking spaces as part of the
plan.
·
Closing the shop had been
a loss for the community and the building had become dilapidated over the past
few years, attracting a lot of offenders, fly-tipping, etc.
·
The only option was to
develop it as a residential site.
·
As there was already a
building on the land, the land was designated as a brownfield site and suitable
for construction.
·
The community of Maes
Tryfan was deprived and was not eligible for Communities First funding.
·
The needs of families had
changed and there was a need for more varied and accessible units for the
population's needs.
·
There was a dire need for
homes for the people of Bangor and especially for individuals who were eager to
live in smaller units to avoid having to pay the current bedroom tax.
·
It was trusted that
Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd would respect the wishes of local residents in Maes
Tryfan and the residents of neighbouring wards in Bangor to let the proposed
units to local people.
·
Local residents wished to
see the units being let to a mixture of individuals, namely young people, older
people and working people.
·
100% of the flats would
be affordable which would be let on social rent terms.
·
It appeared from the
figures on the waiting list for the Glyder Ward that 66 individuals were on the
waiting list for one bedroom flats and 63 on the waiting list for two bedroom
units.
·
A desire to see more
public bins as part of the plan.
·
The application was appreciated
and it was trusted that there would be a local benefit by using local labourers
/ businesses / collaborating with Coleg Menai for apprentices' training etc. in
order to give young people opportunities.
(c) It was proposed and seconded
to approve the application.
(ch) The following points were
highlighted by individual Members in favour of the
recommendation:
·
There was support for the
plan locally, and the site had been vacant for some time.
·
More similar applications
were needed to improve housing in Bangor.
(d) A Member noted that she supported the
application and emphasised the need for a bin storage for the proposed
development.
In
response, the Planning Manager confirmed that a suitable condition could be
imposed for a bin provision.
RESOLVED
unanimously to approve in accordance with the following conditions:
1.
Commencement within five years.
2.
In accordance with the plans.
3. Standard condition to restrict the development to
affordable housing only.
4.
Agree on roof slate.
5.
Agree on the finish of the external walls.
6. Submit details of landscaping for approval within
two months of the commencement of the development.
7. Timetable to implement landscaping plan
8. Parking spaces and accesses to be completed in
accordance with plans and to be operational before the houses are occupied for
the first time.
9. Prevent surface water from running onto the
highway.
10. Diversion of link
path under Section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 prior to the
commencement of work.
11. Welsh Water
Condition
12.
Demolition not to take place during the bat nesting
season (1 September-1 May)
13. Submission of method statement to safeguard and
protect the trees and their roots during the demolition and construction phase
and for it to be implemented in line with what is agreed upon.
14. Ensure a bin provision
Highway
Notes
Welsh Water Notes
Supporting documents: