RECOMMENDATIONS PLANNING COMMITTEE TUESDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2018 AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 7.00PM Present: Apologies: Councillors: Councillors: Glyn Daniels - Chair Annwen Daniels Erwyn Jones Mari Rees Mel Goch ap Meirion, Will G Roberts Bedwyr Gwilym DECLARATION OF INTEREST Councillor Will G Roberts Application No NP5/59/177N Gorsaf Bwer Tanygrisiau Councillor Glyn Daniels Applications Nos. C18/0560/03/LL, 3 Tai Gwaenydd and NP5/59/511G Tir at Penrhiw Following the presence of Councillors Erwyn Jones and Mel Goch ap Meirion at meetings of the Snowdonia National Park recently, information was given that planning authorities no longer want to see a 'No Objection' response. They want information about why the Council supports or opposes a planning application. If there is an objection to a planning application then it has to go before the Authority's Planning Committee. If there is support for the application they wish to know the details of the support. 1. Planning Applications Discuss applications to hand and accept decisions of Planning Authorities 1. Planning Application No. C18/0695/03/LL Applicant: JTD Construction Cymdeithas Tai Eryri Sgwâr y Parc Blaenau Ffestiniog Conversion of former office building into 4 self-contained apartments. Objection to the application based on Section 4 Housing Policy - if dedicated car parking spaces can not be provided, the proposal should not exacerbate existing parking problems in the local area. Serious car parking problems already exist at Park Square. 2. Planning Application No. C18/0560/03/LL Declaration of Interest Councillor Glyn Daniels Applicant: H Ellis 3 Tai Gwaenydd Rhiwbryfdir Blaenau Ffestiniog Application for the erection of a two storey extension. Agree the application as it blends with the rest of the street 3. Planning Application No. NP5/59/177N Declaration of Interest Councillor Glyn Daniels Applicant: National Grid Gorsaf Bŵer Tanygrisiau Blaenau Ffestiniog Replacement of existing single storey office and welfare unity with two storey office and welfare unit Agree the application as the existing building is not suitable for provision of welfare for the workforce 4. Planning Application No NP5/59/706B Applicant: Cyngor Gwynedd Bryn Blodau Ffestiniog Adeiladu estyniad ar yr edrychiad gogledd-ddwyreiniol/ Build an extension to the North-eastern aspect To agree to the application as it adhered to the Welsh Government's planning policy on condition that does not interfere with the breaches of neighboring residents. 5. Planning Application No NP5/59/511G Declaration of Interest Councillor Glyn Daniels Applicant: G Williams Tir ger Penrhiw Ffestiniog Erection of garages to serve 16 dwellings granted under Planning Permission NP5/59/511F and alterations to external appearance to incorporate bay windows and cladding APPLICATIONS RESOLVED BY PLANNING AUTHORITY 1. Planning Application No NP5/59/131E Applicant: Mr. R. Williams Cyn Depo Cyngor Gwynedd Llan Ffestiniog Demolish previous Council depot and erection of 3 dwellings 2/3 floors local affordable occupancy Permitted 2. Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri – Eryri Local Development Plan The Authority have made amendments to the revised Eryri Local Development Plan, following the Examination Hearing Sessions held in July. These amendments are called Matters Arising Changes and are subject to public consultation unril 5.00pm on 25th October 2018. Recommend: Do not disagree with the Matters Arising Changes 3. Joint Planning Policy Unit – Anglesey and Gwynedd Public Consultation – Supplementary Planning Guidance Recommend: To accept the Public Consultation – Supplementary Planning Guidance 4. An opportunity for Councillors to report back to the Council following their attendance at external committees Councillors Erwyn Jones and Mel Goch ap Meirion reported on their attendance at meetings held by Snowdonia National Park Annual update to Town and Community Councils by Snowdonia National Park. Life. An interesting presentation was given about the "Life" project, which is a project to protect the Celtic rainforests, unique to Britain, many of which are here in Snowdonia (Felenrhyd Wood, Maentwrog). Unfortunately, many of these are in a depressing condition, and need to be improved, mainly because the sub-plants die out, which are the plants that grow low in the forest. The main reason for this is that invasive species, such as rhododendron ponticum suffocate, and poison the soil. The Himalayan Balsam plant is also a problem. Work is already in hand to try and deal with this. It is also believed that there is also an opportunity to add to the Eryri Economy, by marketing the mythology associated with these forests, eg Mabinogi and other local legends. The project will last for 7 years, employing 7 people directly. It will also offer wider employment, employing contractors. There are several partners involved in the project: RSPB, Woodland Trust, Snowdonia National Park, and Welsh Natural Resources. Snowdonia Plan An update was received on the Eryri Plan Consultation. It was noted that 640 had responded to the consultation, most of these "On Line". During this consultation, people from North West Wales were targeted, in order to gain a more local opinion, as there was already enough information about visitor needs. 60% of those that responded lived in Snowdonia. The plan has 2 main sections - Local Development Plan, and the Park Management Plan. In short, the aims of the plan are to conserve landscape and access to the National Park, but also with a wider duty to protect and enhance the economy of Snowdonia. The main messages from the consultation were: - Environment: The effect of "Brexit" on Eryri, and how the Park will respond to the challenge. - The adverse effects of visitors on the land: litter and erosion of paths. It was felt that there were too many visitors on Snowdon, and some specific areas. Concern was also raised that the Park is ‘over selling Snowdon. Responding to the concern, it was discovered that it was Park policy not to market Snowdon. - How to get visitors (and local people!) to respect Snowdonia. - How many have raised concerns about the infrastructure of visitor facilities, eg Toilets and car parks. - Communities and the Economy: a big concern that young people leave the area, with an influx of "older people". Lack of quality work to keep the young in the area. Respond to Planning applications. The park receives around 500 planning applications per year, with 90% of these being passed. The Park has a statutory target to handle a planning application in 8 weeks. If there is an objection from a Town or Community Council, then the application is determined by the planning committee, rather than by officers. The purpose of the planning process is roughly to - Resource management - Protect and improve the environment - Ensure any development is in line with the development and planning policy. As Councils respond to applications, the comments must be on valid planning issues, eg relating to - Policy guidance from the Welsh Government, - The visual appearance / appearance of the development, - The site's planning history, - Suitable access and transport method for new development, - The impact of the development on nature conservation, - The need for affordable housing in the area, - Retrospective nature of the application (it must be treated as if the development had not occurred * The Park does not encourage this!) Comments such as: - The good name of the person making the application, - Boundary disputes between homeowners / adjoining land, - Loss of view, - Loss of property value, - Legal covenant Are not accepted as valid objections. Comments are beneficial even if the Council is in favor of the development (the officers may not be!). General update by the Chief Executive There was another complex monetary period, with a 10% cut over the next 2 years. This is a cut of £ 750k. The Authority had to lose 6 members of staff due to the cuts, but due to a response from the public, by lettering the Government, part of the funding related to the Warden service was restored. There is no further risk to jobs at present. Due to the financial finances, the Authority is required to investigate and create other sources of revenue. The park receives a grant of £ 4 million from the Welsh Government, and receives another £ 4million through other sources, eg marketing, car park money, various other grants. This is a turnover of £ 7million, and this is important to the economy of the area. It is hoped that the next 2 years will be stable! Snowdon “Gwyddfa Rhitta” and Hafod Eryri further attract around 650k of visitors a year, compared with around 200k per year approximately 10 years ago. Hafod Eryri was designed with an objective of 250k visitors per year ... There are 2 dedicated Wardens to Snowdon, with 30 volunteer wardens assisting. There is no bespoke planning control that accompanies tourism. Alternative holiday accommodation policy. This is a new policy to deal with Pods, Tepees, and shepherds huts etc, and does not include caravans. The park recognises the importance of this development in holidays to the local economy. Pods etc are less intrusive than static caravans, and an important opportunity for farmers to diversify. The criteria include: - No element of permenance, - The site must be part of a diversification scheme, - Does not harm the landscape, - Does not create new car parks, - Facilities such as bathrooms must be part of the pods etc, - Offer temporary accommodation only, All applications will be determined on merit only. Consideration must be given to: - Scale of scheme / initiative, - Damage to landscape, - Is the development screened, not intrusive, - Contribution to the local economy, - Fit with the landscape. The policy has taken 2 years to complete, and a consultation will begin shortly. These types of applications are currently extremely popular. 5. Councillor Erwyn Jones received a report following his recent attendance at the UnLlais Cynru meeting. Unllais Cymru Report, 26/09/18 Hannah Joyce gave a presentation on the nomination of the Welsh Slate heritage site.