COUNTY BOROUGH OF

REPORT TO: THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

SUBJECT: PLANNING COMMITTEE – 8TH JANUARY, 2015

REPORT OF: TEAM LEADER – DEMOCRATIC SERVICES

PRESENT: COUNCILLOR D. OWENS (CHAIR)

Councillors M. Bartlett D. Bevan K. Brown B. Clements D. Hancock C. Meredith Mrs. J. Morgan, J.P. J. Morgan B. Pagett Mrs. D. Rowberry Mrs. C. Tidey W. J. Williams, M.B.E., J.P. B. Willis Mrs. L. Winnett

WITH: Service Manager - Development Principal Engineer Solicitor

DECISIONS UNDER DELEGATED POWERS

ITEM SUBJECT ACTION

No. 1 APOLOGIES

There were no apologies for absence received.

No. 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATIONS

The following declaration of interest was reported:-

Councillor Mrs. M. Bartlett: Item No. 3 Planning Report C/2014/0212 Proposed new dwelling on part of the original farmhouse site Hafodarthen Farm, Brynithel

No. 3 PLANNING REPORT

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager – Development, whereupon:-

The Service Manager – Development explained the proposals to Members with the aid of slides.

Councillor M. Bartlett declared an interest in this item and left the meeting whilst it was under discussion.

Application No. C/2014/0212 (Outline Application) Proposed New Dwelling on Part of the Original Farmhouse Site Hafodarthen Farm, Brynithel

The Service Manager – Development explained that the application was for outline planning permission for the construction of a dwelling on land falling outside the settlement boundary and within a Special Landscape Area. Whilst, previously there had been a farmhouse located on this site, this development was contrary to adopted and local and national planning policies and did not meet the prescribed tests outlined in Planning Policy for such a proposal. Furthermore a dwelling in this location would appear obtrusive and out of character in this landscaped setting. It was, therefore, proposed that planning permission be refused.

A Member commenced by acknowledging that the proposal fell outside the settlement boundary but felt that each application should be considered on its individual merits. He expressed his concern that currently the site was in a deplorable condition and was being used as an area for fly tipping and by off road motor cycles. He pointed out that previously a farmhouse had been located on this site and said that a new dwelling would only enhance the area.

The Member concluded by stating that whilst he supported the application he required clarity relating to site drainage and he, therefore, requested that a site visit be arranged in order to allow all Members of the Planning Committee the opportunity to view proposal in conjunction with the surrounding area.

A brief discussion ensued when it was and upon a vote being taken it was

RESOLVED that a Special Meeting of the Planning Committee be convened on site to determine the planning application.

Councillor M. Bartlett returned to the meeting at this juncture.

Application No. C/2014/0250 (Full Application) Erection of 6 Affordable Housing Units (Part Revision to Planning Permission C/2013/0250) Land at Commercial Street, Briery Hill,

A Ward Member stated that he fully supported the application and upon a vote being taken it was unanimously,

RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED, subject to a s106 agreement and the conditions outlined in the report of the Service Manager – Development.

Application No. C/2014/0124 (Retention Application) Retention of Change of Use to Car Retail Unit Unit 6, The Innovation Centre, Festival Drive, Victoria Business Centre, Ebbw Vale

The Service Manager – Development explained that the application sought planning permission for the retention of the change of use to a car retail outlet. However, the applicant had failed to demonstrate that the area identified for external car sales (between 6-9 vehicles) and visitor car parking area was for exclusive use of the business. It was, therefore, considered that the application failed to provide appropriate parking and servicing areas contrary to Policy DM1 3d and was recommended for refusal.

Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously,

RESOLVED that planning permission be REFUSED for the reason outlined in the report of the Service Manager – Development.

No. 4 LIST OF DELEGATED ITEMS DETERMINED BETWEEN 19TH NOVEMBER, 2014 AND 12TH DECEMBER, 2014

The report of the Service Manager – Development was submitted for consideration.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the list of planning applications determined for the period between 19th November and 12th December, 2014 be noted.

No. 5 PLANNING STATISTICS APRIL TO JUNE 2014

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager – Development.

At the invitation of the Chair, the Service Manager – Development spoke briefly to the report and highlighted the following salient points:-

 Table 1 - Planning Applications Determined within 8 Weeks - April to June 2014 – performance had increased to 81%. This was a healthy position given the current available resources and workload. It was noted that this percentage was also above the Wales average of 74%.

 Table 3 - % Decisions Made Contrary to Officer Recommendation – April - June 2013 and April – June 2014 – this new data provided information relating to the percentage of decisions taken by the Planning Committee which were contrary to officer advice and it was evident particularly during the last three quarters that the Council percentage was consistently above the all Wales average.

It was noted that one element of the new Wales Planning Bill was recommending that a Planning Advisory Service be established which would review these types of decisions and meet with local authorities if there were any concerns. The Service Manager – Development, therefore, as a note of caution reminded Members that legitimate reasons must be stipulated if officers’ recommendations were to be overturned.

In reply to a request, the Service Manager – Development confirmed that further detailed information relating to the decisions made would be appended as part of future reports.

RESOLVED accordingly.

FURTHER RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and the information contained therein be noted.

No. 6 ANY AREAS FOR MEMBERS TRAINING/BRIEFINGS

The Service Manager – Development provided the following updates:-

Application No. C/2014/0257 (Full Application) Demolition of Existing Building and Replacement with 6 No. Semi-Detached and 1 No. Detached Dwelling Former Cwmcelyn Primary School, Cwmcelyn Road,

Following the decision of the Planning Committee on 4th December, 2014 to refuse planning permission for the above development, an appeal against the decision had now been lodged which would be dealt with via written representations. Councillor Mrs. L. Winnett had agreed to present the written case on behalf of the Council.

Court Proceedings

Legal challenges had been lodged relating to two applications and court proceedings were currently taking place. Members were, therefore, advised if they received approaches relating to any of these proceedings they should be referred to either the Planning or Legal Officers.

These proceedings related to the:-

- Former Tech Board Site, Industrial Estate – Erection of a Single Wind Turbine.

- Hafodydafal Farm, – Solar Farm.

New Chief Planning Inspector for Wales, Mr. Tony Thickett

Further to the request received by Mr. Thickett the new Chief Planning Inspector for Wales to meet with Members of the Planning Committee, correspondence had been forwarded extending an invitation for Mr. Thickett to attend either the March or April Meeting of the Planning Committee. A response was still awaited.

Planning Committee – Thursday, 5th February, 2015

The Committee was reminded that this meeting was scheduled to be broadcast live.

No. 7 ENFORCEMENT REPORT

Having regard to the views expressed by the Proper Officer regarding the public interest test, that on balance the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and that the report should be exempt.

RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst this item of business is transacted as it was likely there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager – Development, whereupon:-

Land West of High Street, Blaina – a Member said that she was pleased that the developer had now complied with the requirement of the Breach of Condition Notice.

Councillor K. Brown joined the meeting at this juncture.

RESOLVED that the report, which contained information relating to the business affairs of persons other than the Authority be accepted and the recommendations contained therein be accepted.

No. 8 ENFORCEMENT CLOSED CASES BETWEEN 20TH NOVEMBER – 17TH DECEMBER, 2014

Having regard to the views expressed by the Proper Officer regarding the public interest test, that on balance the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and that the report should be exempt.

RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst this item of business is transacted as it was likely there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager – Development.

RESOLVED that the report, which contained information relating to the business affairs of persons other than the Authority be accepted and the recommendations contained therein be accepted.