Application for the change of use, extension and external alterations which includes provision of solar panels of the former primary school, to create a community centre and 16 bed hostel/bunkhouse, cafe, shop, outdoor changing facilities, meeting rooms/business incubation unit and treatment room.
LOCAL MEMBER:
COUNCILLOR DILWYN LLOYD
Minutes:
Application
for the change of use, extension and external alterations that comprise the
installation of solar panels on the former Primary School to create a Community
Centre, 16 bed hostel/bunkhouse, cafe, shop, external changing area, meeting
rooms/business incubator unit and a treatment room.
a)
The Planning Control Manager elaborated on the
background of the application, noting that this was a full application for a
change of use involving undertaking alterations and reuse the former Bron y Foel primary school building
for multi-use. It was noted that the building was located in the centre of the
rural village of Y Fron. The building was not listed,
and the main alterations (apart from the extensions) would be made to the
inside the building. The development offered an use
for a former school and community building that were partly empty and the use
was an opportunity to secure the long-term use of the building. Therefore, it
was considered that the proposal complied with the relevant requirements of the
policies.
The
site contained a substantial and characteristic building,
however, it was considered that the proposal and the proposed work, including
erecting the extensions and the external finishes, were suitable and unlikely
to cause a detrimental impact on the protected landscape as well as the general
visual amenities of the village. It was also considered that the proposal
conformed to the requirements of the relevant policies.
Attention
was drawn to the additional observations that had been received and it was
highlighted that the Community Council had now supported the proposal.
b)
Taking advantage of the
right to speak, an objector noted the following points:
·
Accept that the enterprise was a good use of a
former school, but concerned about the sustainability of the enterprise
·
Needed to consider an enterprise that would create
jobs for local people e.g. nursery
·
Concern that there would be no caretaker or manager
for the building / on the site
·
Impact on the amenities
of neighbouring residents
·
Needed to consider the site for local housing for
local people
c)
Taking advantage of the
right to speak, the applicant noted the following points:
·
The community of y Fron was leading on the project
·
An opportunity here to turn deterioration into
regeneration
·
The enterprise provided
jobs and work experience for local people
·
The project included
local input - 5 questionnaires and 5 public meetings had been held
·
Consideration had been
given to the concerns which had been highlighted
·
There would be no impact
on the Welsh language
·
Promoting community life
ch) The
local member (who was not a member of this Planning Committee) made the
following observations:
·
That the enterprise would
resurrect the community and gave hope to the community after the primary school
had been closed
·
It was a positive step and advantageous to the
community
·
Adequate time had been given to respond to what was
needed
·
Accepted that there were concerns about any change,
but those who opposed must be urged to be a part of discussions
·
Officers from Gwynedd
Council were thanked for their support
d)
It was proposed and seconded to approve the
application in accordance with the recommendation.
dd) During
the ensuing discussion, the following points were noted by individual members:
·
Accepted that the
enterprise was a good idea
·
Needed to stimulate
discussions in order to respond to the need
·
Encourage collaboration
·
Welcomed a Community Centre
·
Similar enterprises had
succeeded in the Deiniolen and Gerlan
areas
·
Losing a school within the community was sad but
welcomed a new enterprise
RESOLVED: Unanimously, to approve the application
subject to relevant conditions involving:-
1.
Time
2.
Comply with plans
3.
Materials
4.
Low profile solar panels
5.
Café’s opening hours.
6.
Welsh Water conditions
7.
Protect the public footpath
8.
Need to follow the bat survey recommendations
9. Note by Natural Resources Wales
Supporting documents: