Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive any declaration of interest by any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

Councillor W.T.Hughes and Councillor Richard Owain Jones both declared a personal and prejudicial interest with regard to application 6.1 on the agenda.

As this was her last meeting as Chair of the Planning and Orders Committee, Councillor Ann Griffith took the opportunity to thank all the Officers who had variously provided support to herself and the Committee during her term as Chair. She also expressed appreciation.

To submit, for confirmation the minutes of the previous meeting of the Planning and Orders Committee held on 5 April, 2017.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Planning and Orders Committee held on 5th April, 2017 were presented and confirmed as correct.

To submit the minutes of the Site Visits held on 19 April, 2017.

The minutes of the Planning site visit undertaken on 19th April, 2017 were presented and confirmed as correct.

The Chair announced that Public Speakers were registered to speak in relation to applications 7.5 and 12.2.

6.1  20C310B/EIA/RE – Rhyd y Groes, Rhosgoch

6.1       20C310B/EIA/RE – Full application for the construction of a 49.99MW solar array farm together with associated equipment, infrastructure and ancillary works on land adjacent to Rhyd y Groes, Rhosgoch

Having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this application, Councillors W.T. Hughes and Richard Owain Jones withdrew from the meeting during the determination thereof.

The Planning Development Manager reported that national guidance advises that the reporting, consideration and determination of contentious matters should be avoided during an election period. As the election period ahead of the May local government elections commenced on 21 March, 2017 and as this application can be regarded as a contentious and unusual application, it is recommended that further consideration of the application be deferred until after the election.

It was resolved to defer consideration of the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation for the reason given.

7.1  12C49P/DEL – Casita, Beaumaris

7.2  15C30H/FR – Pen y Bont Farm, Malltraeth

7.3  18C225B – Bron Castell, Llanfairynghornwy

7.4  33C190Q/VAR – Bwlch Gwyn Quarry, Gaerwen

7.5  34C304K/1/EIA/ECON – Coleg Menai, College Road, Llangefni

7.6  47C153 – Plas Newydd, Llanddeusant

7.7  47C154 – Plas Newydd, Llanddeusant

7.1       12C49P/DEL – Application under Section 73 for the removal of condition (09) (occupiers age restriction) from planning permission reference 12C49M/VAR (erection of 35 flats) at Casita, Beaumaris

The application was originally presented to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of a Local Member. At its meeting held on 5th April, 2017, the Committee resolved to refuse the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation. The application is re-presented to the Committee following the required one month “cooling off” period.

The Planning Development Team Leader reported that the application was refused at the Committee’s April 2017 meeting because it was deemed the proposal does not address the needs of the local area, there being a need for housing of this type that caters for the needs of older people. The Officer’s further written report addresses the reason given by the Committee for refusing the application. In addition, correspondence has been received from the applicant’s agent stating that since the housing market crash of 2008, potential buyers have been unwilling to purchase properties with any kind of restrictions because of the implications for re-sale thereby putting in question the viability of the project. The condition also has to meet the test of planning legislation in relation to it being necessary, enforceable and precise; it has to be shown that there is reason on planning grounds for imposing an occupancy restriction. The Officer said that consultation with the Housing Department confirms that there is no real local need for this type of housing with an over 55s condition.

Councillor Lewis Davies proposed that the site be visited on the grounds that this is not a typical development.

The Planning Development Team Leader said that a site visit is unlikely to be of assistance to the Committee as this is not a new proposal but an application to discharge a specific condition on planning consent already given for the erection of 35 residential flats. The Legal Officer endorsed the Officer’s comment and advised that a site visit would not be helpful in this instance. Councillor Lewis Davies subsequently withdrew his proposal for a site visit.

Those Members who were opposed to the application made reference to there being a sizeable over 55 population in the area, and they were concerned that without the occupancy restriction the site could potentially be developed in a very different way to that originally envisaged with the units unlikely to be affordable to the local population. The application site is in a highly attractive area and carries great potential which the developer might be seeking to exploit.  It was also pointed out that the housing market has improved from the 2008 downturn with Anglesey being a growth area in terms of property prices.

The Planning Development Team Leader said that consideration needs to be given to whether there is a sound planning reason for retaining the over 55s restriction .The site is within the settlement boundary for Beaumaris as identified in the Stopped Unitary Development Plan. This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.1  34C705/ECON – Ysgol y Graig, Llangefni

8.1       34C705/ECON – Full application for the demolition of the existing school, erection of a new supermarket, improvements to the existing access together with associated works at former Ysgol y Graig, Llangefni

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee as the development involves Council owned land.

The Planning Development Team Leader reported that the application has been subject to the new pre-submission publicity process whereby public consultation has been held before the application was submitted to the Planning Service; three letters of support and one letter of objection have subsequently been received. The proposed new unit is considerably larger in scale than the existing retail unit; the applicant has undertaken a sequential test as required by both plan policy and Planning Policy Wales including considering the option of demolishing the existing store and redeveloping the existing site. However, due to the limitations of the current site as regards its capacity to deliver a larger store and the unsuitability of other sites in terms of the required criteria for the applicant’s business model, the application site is the sequentially preferable location to deliver the replacement store. The Officer said that the report also shows that in terms of capacity, the proposal would not harm the vitality or viability of stores within the existing town centre.

The Committee was amenable to the proposal subject to confirming the retention and accessibility of the existing footpath from Tan Capel Estate through both rear fields and the old school site down to the industrial estate; regulating the hours of construction work to avert noise nuisance there having been complaints locally regarding work on the adjacent extra care facility, and subject also to confirmation that any shrubs and trees planted shall be maintained for a period of 10 rather than 5 years. The Officer said that the issue and status of the footpath can be looked into; a construction and environment management plan will be implemented to deal with traffic, noise and pollution etc. with a standard that on site work will not commence before 8:00 a.m. With regard to maintaining trees and shrubs planted as part of a landscaping scheme, the Officer said that the standard maintenance period as advised by the Tree and Landscape Officer is 5 years; however consideration can be given to extending that time period.

The Committee noted its disappointment that there were no community benefits deriving from the scheme.

It was resolved to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the conditions listed within the written report.

None to be considered by this meeting.

None considered by this meeting of the Planning and Orders Committee.

None to be considered by this meeting.

None were considered by this meeting of the Planning and Orders Committee.

11.1  13C194 – Llwyn Llinos, Bodedern

11.1    13C194 – Outline application for the erection of three affordable dwellings which includes details of access, appearance, layout and scale on land opposite Llwyn Llinos, Bodedern

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee as the applicant is related to a relevant officer. The application file and report have been reviewed by the Monitoring Officer as required by the Council’s Constitution.

The Planning Development Manager reported that the original outline application with all matters reserved was for the development of three houses as an exception site for affordable housing. The amended application proposes three bungalows on part of a field enclosure filling a gap between the existing cemetery and the adjoining bungalow at Rhoslyn.Three letters of objection were received in relation to the originally submitted proposal; no additional representations have been received since the re-issuing of publicity on receipt of the amended details. The Housing Service has confirmed the need for three two bedroom bungalows in Bodedern and the scheme reflects this need in terms of design and affordability. The Highways Authority recommends conditional approval including the provision of a pavement along the frontage of the site. The scheme is considered acceptable in policy terms and is recommended for approval subject to the receipt of satisfactory drainage details and a Section 106 agreement to secure the dwellings as affordable dwellings in perpetuity.

The Committee sought clarification of whether a traffic survey had been conducted as this area of the village is considered to be a very busy area. The Highways Officer confirmed that whilst no traffic survey has been carried out, the Highways Authority has insisted on the highest possible standards in relation to speed limits with which the proposal complies. Highway Officers are now also satisfied with the level of visibility with the original access having been moved to provide a 90m visibility splay in both directions.

Councillor Lewis Davies proposed that the application be approved and the proposal was seconded by Councillor Kenneth Hughes.

It was resolved to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the conditions listed in the written report and the receipt of satisfactory drainage details and also, a Section 106 agreement to secure the dwellings as affordable dwellings in perpetuity.

12.1  12LPA1032/CC – 1-17 Bryn Tirion, Beaumaris,

12.2  12C479B – Rose Hill, Beaumaris

12.3  19C98D – 2 Stanley Street, Holyhead

12.4  45C480 – Morannedd, Chapel Street, Newborough

12.5  46C254B – Ael y Bryn, Lôn Penrhyngarw, Trearddur Bay

12.1    12LPA1032/CC – Full application for the external refurbishment of the dwellings, creation of a new vehicular access together with the creation of a parking area within the site at 1-17 Bryn Tirion, Beaumaris

Councillor Lewis Davies proposed that the application be approved and the proposal was seconded by Councillor W.T. Hughes.

It was resolved to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the conditions listed in the written report.

12.2    12C479B – Full application for the erection of a dwelling on the former garden market land to the rear of Rose Hill, Beaumaris

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of a Local Member.

Councillor Alwyn Rowlands, a Local Member asked the Committee to undertake a site visit so that Members can better appreciate the proposed development within its setting and assess any potential impact that might result therefrom in what is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Councillor Lewis Davies proposed that the Committee visit the application site and the proposal was seconded by Councillor Nicola Roberts.

It was resolved to visit the site in accordance with the Local Member’s request for the reason given.

12.3    19C98D – Full application for the installation of a dormer window together with alterations to the shop front and the erection of a 6m high pole to relocate the CCTV at 2 Stanley Street, Holyhead

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee as part of it is on land owned by the Local Authority.

Councillor Kenneth Hughes proposed that the application be approved and the proposal was seconded by Councillor Jeff Evans.

It was resolved to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the conditions listed within the written report.

12.4    45C480 – Outline application for the erection of a dwelling with all matters reserved on land to the rear of Morannedd, Chapel Street, Newborough

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of the Local Member.

Councillor Ann Griffith stood down as Chair for the consideration and determination of the application in order to speak as a Local Member. Councillor Richard Owain Jones, Vice-Chair took the Chair for the item.

The Planning Development Manager reported that whilst the proposed dwelling lies within the settlement boundary of Newborough the means of access to the site lies outside the development boundary. The Officer said that although the principle of residential development is acceptable under planning policies, it is considered that due to the separation distances involved, the proposal will have an impact on the amenities currently enjoyed by the occupants of the neighbouring properties by way of overlooking. The Officer in his report concludes that the proposal would result in insensitive infilling which would be out of character with the surrounding area in a way that is contrary to policy. The recommendation is therefore to refuse the application.

Councillor Peter Rogers, speaking as a Local Member said that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

None to be considered by this meeting.

None were considered by this meeting of the Planning and Orders Committee.