Erection of a 4 storey building to provide two shops
and 15 living units for students
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor
David Gwynfor Edwards
Link to relevant background documents
Minutes:
Erection
of four-storey building to provide two shops and 15 living units for students.
(a) The Development Control Manager
expanded on the background of the application noting that the site formed part
of the curtilage of Varsity public house and was being currently used as a beer
garden. It was located on a section of
Bangor High Street, between a public house and a snooker hall.
Reference
was made to the relevant policies and the responses to the public consultations
within the report.
It
was noted that the site was within the City's development boundary and was
quite prominent on the High Street. It
was acknowledged that some people were concerned about the number of private
purposefully built accommodation in the Bangor area and the suggestion that a
number of the rooms available were standing empty. However, considering the figures available,
it appeared that a relatively low percentage of the provision available was
being met by this type of units at present.
It was not considered reasonable to refuse the proposal based on the
lack of need for this type of accommodation.
Attention
was drawn to the fact that the proposal involved the provision of two
(relatively small) commercial units on the ground floor of the building. The development would appear natural in
terms of its location on the High Street.
It was considered that the development was acceptable as a whole and
reflected the pattern of the street-scene in an acceptable way.
Several
objections were received to the original proposal based on the two-storey unit
to the rear of the site; however, this building had now been withdrawn from the
application. It was considered that the
amended plans had responded to the objections in a satisfactory way by ensuring
sufficient distance between the rear of the Lôn Bopty houses and the new development. It was not considered that the proposal would
have a negative impact in terms of general and residential amenities due to the
nature of the current use of the site and its surrounding area.
After
giving full consideration to all relevant planning matters, including the
letters of objection and the observations received, it was considered that the
proposal was acceptable and complied with local and national policies and
guidance.
(b) It was proposed and
seconded to approve the application.
(c) During the ensuing
discussion the following points were highlighted by individual Members:
·
That
the application was completely suitable for the site and that there were no
other planning grounds for refusal.
·
Discontent
regarding the phrasing of the Joint Policy Unit in paragraph 5.19 namely
"that there is a relatively low percentage of Welsh speakers in
Bangor..." It was felt that the wording gave a misrepresentation of Bangor
and although the percentage was low in comparison with the rest of Gwynedd, the
number of Welsh speakers was relatively high in comparison with the rest of
Wales.
·
Although
an application for retail units had been submitted, there was concern that the
units would be used as offices for the accommodation business, as had happened
with many similar applications in the past.
A request was made for a further explanation on the use of such units at
the next Planning Committee meeting.
·
The
above concern was reiterated, in particular as the offices did not contribute
to the area's economy.
Resolved: To approve
– with conditions
1. Time
2. In accordance with the plans
3. Materials
4. Slate
5. Student Management
Plan (accommodation agreements)
6. Parking facilities in accordance with the plans
7. Shops within A1 use class only.
Supporting documents: