New two
bedroom dwelling and associated works.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor
R H Wyn Williams
Minutes:
Construction of new two bedroomed house with
associated works
(a)
The
Development Control Officer elaborated on the background of the application,
noting that it was a full application to construct a modern two-storey house
designed to include two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, and a living room /
kitchen. Details of proposed landscaping plans were also submitted along with
details of parking and turning arrangements for two vehicles adjacent to a new
vehicular access. It was reported that a previous application for the
development of a house on this site had been refused in 2013 and furthermore,
an appeal against that decision had been refused. It was explained that the new
plan submitted was significantly different from the previously considered plan.
The
proposed house was described as a house with a flat roof with vegetation on it
(a "green" roof) set over two levels. The level of the land on the
roadside would need to be raised in order to create a flat site for parking and
turning. The level of the land at the bottom of the site would need to be
excavated in order to set the building into the slope. Consequently, the roof level at the highest
part of the house would be 0.3m lower than the ridge of the roof of Tŷ Carrog (next door), and
1.2m lower than the ridge of the roof of the plan which had been previously
refused in 2013.
The
side walls of the building would be clad with stone whilst the front and back
elevations would be timber clad, with large windows to the sea facing
elevation.
It was noted that the Community Council objected
to the application due to an over-development on a small and prominent site as
well as a concern regarding the safety of the access. Although the site was
situated within the AONB, it was also explained that it was an infill site
within the development boundary of Abersoch village
and that the plot was surrounded by other residential developments. Furthermore, it was considered that the
natural materials selected as finishes would suit the landscape in an unobtrusive
way. The AONB Unit was of the opinion that the development would not have an
unacceptable impact on the AONB and, as such, it was considered that the
proposal was in accordance with relevant policies.
Having considered all
the relevant planning matters and all the objections received, it was suggested
that all concerns had been resolved and that the plan was now considered
suitable and acceptable for the site and that it complied with the local and
national policies and guidance noted in the report.
(b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, an objector to the application
noted the following points:-
- despite the
appeal decision, the plan was close to the road once again and it continued to
be a two-storey building;
- the development obstructed light from the south and was overlooking Tŷ Carrog
- neighbours lost privacy
- it would be difficult to plant a 2m growth on the slope to avoid
overlooking - the need to plant admitted a potential overlooking
- it would be possible to add to the development in future
(c)
Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s agent noted the
following points:-
-
the development was considerably smaller than original plans
-
better use was made of the site and that landscaping was an essentially
important element
-
that the proposal involved a sea facing single-storey house - set in the
rock
-
boundaries remained the same
-
the site already had a residential use
-
the design reflected the landscape and fused into the view of the beach
-
the AONB officer suggested that it would not have a visual impact on the
AONB
(ch) The local member (not a member of this
Planning Committee) noted the following main points:-
- That
he objected the application
-
that
the Community Council refused the application and that previous plans had been
refused many times by the Committee and on appeal
-
the
site was very narrow - it was a small garden and therefore, impossible to
construct a house on the site
-
the
need for housing had been satisfied in Abersoch
- 60%
of houses in Abersoch were holiday houses - no need
for more
- consistency
required - a similar planning application from nearby residents had been
refused
- need
to protect the AONB
- the
Coast Path ran along the building
- it
was a block and not a house - it did not protect views of the beach
- the
design was alien
- it
would affect the coast
- pleaded
with the committee to refuse this awful application.
(d)
In
response to the observations, the Senior Manager noted that two evident
concerns had arisen from the discussion - size and appearance of the design and impact
on the amenities of neighbouring residents.
A site visit was suggested.
It was proposed and
seconded to visit the site.
RESOLVED to defer the application and hold a site visit.
Supporting documents: