Agenda item

8.1  24C300A/ECON – Tyn Rhos Fawr, Dulas

8.2  34C326D/VAR/ECON – Former Cross Keys Site, Bulkeley Square, Llangefni

8.1  24C300A/ECON – Formation of lakes for fishing and recreation use, erection of an ancillary shop/café and a storage building together with associated access roads and parking areas and the installation of a new septic tank on land forming part of Tyn Rhos Fawr, Dulas

The application is reported to the Planning and Orders Committee due to the context and scale of the application.  It was noted that the site was visited in July 2015.

Mr. James Dodd addressed the Committee as a supporter of the application.  Mr. Dodd gave a background of the experience of the Company he represents to the Committee.  The application is for a series of amenity lakes to enhance the tourism of the Island with sailing, fishing, canoeing, café, boat storage and teaching facility.  The proposed development comprises of 6 lakes.  In lakes 1, 2 and 3 the water is stored below natural ground level and each lake has a volume of less than 10,000 cubic metres.  Lake 4 and 5 also has capacity of less than 10,000 cubic metres but they are located within the earthworks for retaining structures of Lake 6.  Lake 6 is the impoundment lakes with a volume of over 100,000 cubic metres.  The construction of lakes and reservoirs in Wales is controlled by the Reservoirs Act 1975.  This Act was amended in Wales on 1 April, 2016 and now all reservoirs with a raised structure and is capable of holding more than 10,000 cubic metres, which is above the natural level, on any part of the surrounding land fall under these regulations.  The regulations are operated, monitored and policed by Natural Resources Wales.  The highest safety standards are paramount in the design of the Lakes and annual inspections must be undertaken by a Panel Engineer and reports submitted to Natural Resources Wales. 

The Committee asked questions of Mr. Dodd regarding historical flooding of the A5025 near the site.  Mr. Dodd responded that following consultation with the Highways Officers the matter has been alleviated by the construction of a culvert at the low point of the highway.  The construction of the lakes will slow the water flow into the river and alleviate flooding problems on the A5025.  Members further raised questions regarding the retaining of Welsh names on the proposed lakes.  Mr. Dodd agreed that the Welsh names need to be protected.  The Planning Development Manager stated that a Welsh Language Impact Assessment had been accepted by the Council’s Welsh Language Impact Officer.

The Planning Development Manager informed the Committee that since the report was written a screening opinion has been made by the Council which confirms that full environmental assessment is not required with the application.  He further stated that an additional planning condition will need to be imposed on any approval of the application with regard to the opening hours of the facility i.e. 8 a.m., to 8.00 p.m.  The Officer reported that substantial landscaping works around the site and a new access will be constructed into the highway.  The development of the site will take up to 3 years to complete.  The Committee report confirmed that the principle of the development is acceptable in this countryside location.  The impacts of the construction and operation of the development on the residential amenities of adjacent properties have been assessed.   A visualisation plan was shown to the Committee as had been requested at the site visit to the site.  He noted that the recommendation of the Officer’s was of approval.

Councillor T.V. Hughes said that he welcomed that such a developer wished to develop the site and to attract tourist and local residents to make use of such a facility.  Councillor T.V. Hughes proposed that the application be approved and Councillor Vaughan Hughes seconded the proposal. 

Councillor W.T. Hughes proposed that the application be refused as he wished to keep the character of the area.  He also raised concerns regarding the impact on the Welsh language and the need to safeguard the historical Welsh names in the Dulas area.  There was no seconder to the proposal.

Councillor Lewis Davies abstained from voting.

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

8.2  34C326D/VAR/ECON – Application under Section 73 for the variation of condition (01) from planning permission reference 34C326C/ECON (erection of a resource centre) so as to allow a further 5 years to commence work at Former Cross Keys Site, Bulkeley Square, Llangefni

The application is presented to the Planning and Orders Committee as part of the site is within Council ownership.

Councillor T.V. Hughes proposed that the application be approved and Councillor W.T. Hughes seconded the proposal.

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