Agenda item

Applications Arising

7.1  46C622/ENF – Y Borth, Porthdafarch Road, Holyhead

Minutes:

7.1  46C622/ENF – Full application for the extension to the curtilage together with the retention of a building to be used as a domestic garage and home office at Y Borth, Porthdafarch Road, Holyhead

 

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of a Local Member.  The Committee at its meeting held on 6 March, 2019 resolved to undertake a site visit and the site was visited on 20 March, 2019. 

 

Councillor Dafydd R Thomas, a Local Member said that he was representing the Trearddur Community Council at this meeting.  He thanked the Committee for undertaking a site visit and noted that the Members will now be aware of the size of the development and its sensitivity within an AONB area.  Councillor Thomas expressed that a building on the site was demolished and building works took place without prior approval; therefore the application is a retrospective development.  He questioned as to what message this gives to the public that people are able to build without planning approval and thereafter seek planning permission retrospectively.

 

The Planning Development Manager reported that the application is to extend the residential curtilage of the dwelling at y Borth, Porthdafarch Road, Holyhead and extending the current building on the site for private office space and garage.  The application site is within an AONB area in an open countryside location.  She noted that the development is of a single story structure and is within the footprint of the former building and the design and scale of the building is considered acceptable in this location.  It was noted that a landscaping plan has been submitted with the application and this will allow enhanced screening of the current property.  The Planning Development Manager further said that an additional Condition has been imposed on any approval of the application that private use only will be allowed on the garage/home office. 

 

The Officer referred to the comments made by the Local Member as regards to retrospective application but the Planning Authority must deal with such applications in accordance with planning procedures and not penalize such applicants. 

 

Councillor Vaughan Hughes reiterated the comments made by the Local Member as regards to retrospective applications and asked the Planning Officers to write again to Welsh Government expressing strongly that the legislation needs to be changed as regards to retrospective applications.  Councillor Robin Williams also asked the Portfolio Holder for Planning to write to Welsh Government as regards the need to change the policies as regards retrospective applications.

 

Councillor Dafydd Roberts referred that the application site is within an AONB area and noted as the previous building on site had been demolished and during the site visit it was obvious that the new retrospective building is larger than the previous footprint and the ridge of the building is also higher.  Councillor Roberts expressed that he considered that such a development would have a detrimental effect on the landscape.  He further questioned whether there are guidelines to restrict development that are larger than previous footprint of developments within an AONB area.  The Planning Development Manager responded that each planning application needs to be considered within its own merits and it is impossible to impose conditions on the scale of developments within AONB area as it depends on the location of the each site.  

 

Councillor John Griffiths ascertain as to which measures the Planning Authority are taking to monitor the development use of the development at Y Borth, Porthdafarch Road, Holyhead as to the potential use of the property/buildings.  The Planning Development Officer responded that the application before this meeting is due to Enforcement procedures due to retrospective building on the site.  She said that it was unfortunate that Planning Department do not have adequate Planning Officers nor the resources to be able to visit the property at Y Borth, Porthdafarch Road on a regular basis.  A Condition has been imposed on any approval of the application as to the use of the home office/garage.

 

The Chair, Councillor Nicola Roberts expressed that during the site visit it was obvious that only half of the building was to be a home office/garage but there is also another part of the building that could be developed.  She expressed that the Planning Officer needs to monitor the developments on site.

 

Councillor K P Hughes proposed that the application be approved and Councillor Robin Williams seconded the proposal.    

 

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

 

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