Demolition of existing detached church hall and erection of new church hall attached to existing church of St. Helen, Penisarwaun, together with creation of on site parking for seven vehicles including two spaces for the disabled (revised plans to those considered under C17/0093/18/LL)
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Elwyn Jones
Minutes:
Demolition of existing detached church hall and
construction of church hall attached to the existing Santes
Helen Church, Penisarwaun, and creation of parking on
site for seven vehicles, including two spaces for the disabled.
(a) The Enforcement Officer elaborated on the
background of the application and noted that the new building would provide a
space for community activities, a shop and café, vestry, stores and toilets.
It was noted that the
site was located on the outskirts of the village in a residential area, and
within the development boundary of the village of Penisarwaun
in the Development Plan. The church was
not listed, but the site was located within a Landscape of Outstanding Historic
Interest.
The proposal was considered acceptable in terms of
visual amenities, residential amenities and privacy. Also, the proposal
complied with policies in the Local Plan in relation to retail. A protected species survey was submitted with
the application and the Biodiversity Unit and Natural Resources Wales did not
have an objection to the proposal, provided that the developer acted in
accordance with the recommendations of that report.
Attention was drawn to
the fact that the Transportation Unit had no objection to the proposal,
provided that the developer followed the submitted plans.
The development was
acceptable in terms of relevant local and national policies for the reasons
noted in the report.
(b) Taking
advantage of the right to speak, an objector noted the following main points:
·
The proposal would be an
over-development of the site.
·
That there was a community hall in Penisarwaun and so there was no need for the hall;
·
Concerns in terms of road safety;
·
Local people did not need or want the
hall.
(c) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s
representative noted the following main points:
·
The existing hall was deteriorating and the new
hall would add to the community;
·
That disabled access and toilets would be included
in the hall;
·
Had discussed with the Transportation Unit and
planning officers in the context of managing speed on the road;
·
The shop would not be for profit and it would not
compete with other places;
·
There were no planning grounds to the objections
received;
·
That letters of support had been received from
local people.
(ch) The local member (not a member
of this Planning Committee) noted the following main points:
·
That he saw both sides but that he tended to side
with the objectors;
·
That local people did not see a need for a hall and
they were concerned in terms of road safety;
·
That there was a prosperous community hall in the
school.
(d) Proposed and seconded to
approve the application.
During
the ensuing discussion, the following main points were noted by members:
·
Although they sympathised with the objectors, the
hall would be an asset to the village and the church;
·
Would it be required to hold a public consultation
in terms of installing speed humps as part of the method of managing speed on
the road?
·
That the comments of the Community Council and
Local Member noting that there was no need for another village hall should be
followed;
·
That the shop element of the development was to be
welcomed;
·
Did not see the need and it would be an
over-development of the site and would conceal views and take away from the
beauty of the church;
·
It would not be an over-development of the site.
(dd) In response to the above, the officers noted:
·
It would not be required to hold a
public consultation as the proposal would involve adding a pair of speed humps
to the existing ones. That the proposal would be discussed with the Community
Council and that the proposal would be advertised.
·
That there was an existing hall on the
site and that the proposal involved its demolition and construction of a new
hall. Over-provision was not a reason that provided robust grounds to object to
the proposal.
RESOLVED to approve with
conditions:
1. Time
- Five years
2. In
accordance with the plans
3. Slate
roof and the external finish of the building to be in-keeping with the church.
4. Highways
/ Parking Conditions
5. Limit
the surface floor area of the shop / café
6. Work to be in accordance with the Bat
Report
7. Condition to limit the demolition and
building work to 09.00 - 18.00 Monday to Friday, 09.00 - 13.00 on Saturdays and
not at all on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
8. Archaeological conditions
9. Welsh Water conditions
Notes
1. Highways
2. Welsh
Water
3. Archaeology
Service
4. Natural Resources Wales
Supporting documents: