Agenda item

12.1  15C218 – Royal Oak, Malltraeth

12.2  19C1174/FR – Enterprise Park, Holyhead

12.3  28C257A – Bryn Maelog, Llanfaelog

12.4  39LPA1026/TPO/CC – Old Reservoir, Pentraeth Road, Menai Bridge

12.5  41C8G/DEL – Garnedd Ddu, Star

12.1  15C218 – Full application for change of use of the public house into two residential units at Royal Oak, Malltraeth

The application is reported to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of a Local Member.

Councillor Ann Griffith, stood down as Chair of the Committee to speak in her capacity as a Local Member regarding the application.  Councillor R.O. Jones, Vice-Chair took the Chair for the discussion and determination of the application.

Mr. David Vaughan, public speaker said that he was speaking on behalf of most of the residents of the village of Malltraeth in objection to this application.  Mr. Vaughan said that the Royal Oak did not close due to economic issues and it did not make sense for the removal of a viable premises which is a loss of a vital community asset.  The Royal Oak has been in existence for many years with a consent for the building to be used as a public house.  There has always been a need for such a facility and that need still exists due to vital amenity for local and tourist to the Malltraeth area.  The Royal Oak is also on the coastal path route which is been used by birdwatchers and walkers.  Tourists have all been able to take advantage of the facility at the Royal Oak over the years as a village pub.

The Committee asked questions of Mr. Vaughan with regard as to why nobody in the village had an interest in running the public house in Malltraeth.  It was further stated that there is another public house in the village.  Mr. Vaughan responded that there was interest locally in running the Royal Oak but they were outbid in the auction of the facility.  He further stated that there was a rumour that the other public house in the village was closing aswell.

Mr. Dafydd Jones, a Public Speaker spoke in favour of the proposal and stated that the applicant bought the facility at auction in December 2015 following the closure of the Royal Oak in August 2014 due to the lack of business at the premises.  Policy 55 of the Ynys Môn Local Plan enables the converting of such facilities into residential dwellings providing that policies are met. The proposal will include the demolition of  flat roof extensions and will be replaced with slate roof smaller extension.  He further stated that the change of use of the public house into residential dwellings will have a positive impact on the neighbouring properties with the reduction of noise disturbance, improving parking facilities for local residents and make use of an empty building since 2014.  Mr. Jones further stated that another public house exists in the village of Malltraeth. 

The Committee asked questions of Mr. Jones with regard to the statement made by the objectors that there was no business reasons why the Royal Oak ceased to remain open.  Mr. Jones said that the owner was made bankrupt due to the lack of business at the Royal Oak and that is why the premises was put to auction.

Councillor Ann Griffith, a Local Member said that she was speaking on behalf of some residents of the village of Malltraeth and also on behalf of the Bodorgan Community Council.  She stated that she had requested that the Planning and Orders Committee determine this application due to the volume of objections to the proposal.  Councillor Griffith referred to the two main concerns of the residents of the village with regard to the loss of a popular village public house which is a local community hub for the area.  The residents are concerned for the future of the other public house; there a rumours that the Joiners Arms in the village is to close shortly.  Concerns have been also been expressed that the inside of the Royal Oak has been cleared of fixtures and fittings without permission.  Due to the concerns of the local residents a petition of near 200 names was collected with regard to the importance of the Royal Oak as a public house; Malltraeth is an area for sporting activities and the pub was a facility for the competitors attending the Anglesey Racing Track near Aberffraw together with birdwatchers and artists who visit the area.

Councillor Griffith stated that the concerns of the Community Council is that the proposed dwellings should be affordable housing for local residents and not for holiday accommodation.    She noted that following discussions with the relevant department of the Council, 45 dwellings in the Malltraeth area are currently empty, however the statistics do not specify if these houses are empty or holiday homes.  20 people are currently on the social housing list and one person has registered on the affordable housing list for a dwelling in Malltraeth.  The 2011 census has shown that there are 90 holiday homes out of 807 dwellings in the Malltraeth area. House prices in 2014 recorded an average of £171,000 and the average household income is £24,568.  The affordability of houses ratio is 6.9 times more than the average income in 2014 in the Malltraeth area.

The Planning Development Manager reported that the building is located within the confines of the village and the design of the proposed extension is considered acceptable.  He appreciated that the Royal Oak public house was a community resource but he does understand that there is another public house in the village of Malltraeth and that it is only a rumour that it is to close in the future.  As regards to the matter of internal works carried out, investigations confirmed that no planning permission had been required. 

Councillor Vaughan Hughes proposed that the application be approved and Councillor Nicola Roberts seconded the proposal.

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  19C1174/FR – Full application for change of use of land to place 103 containers for storage purposes at Enterprise Park, Holyhead

The application is reported to the Planning and Orders Committee as the land that forms the application site is owned by the Local Authority.

The Chair reported that one of the Local Members has requested that the site be visited due to possible flooding and traffic issues.

Councillor Lewis Davies proposed that the site be visited and Councillor Nicola Roberts seconded the proposal.

It was RESOLVED that a site visit be undertaken in accordance with the request of a Local Member for the reason given.

12.3  28C257A – Outline application for the erection of a dwelling together with full details of the vehicular access on land adjacent to Bryn Maelog, Llanfaelog

The application is reported to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of a Local Member.

The Planning Development Manager reported that the application site is currently occupied as a builder’s yard and has an existing road access and some buildings and hardstandings.  The Officer’s accepted that there are dwellings in the vicinity of this application but it is not considered that the site forms an infill site as there is a distinct cap between this site and the village of Llanfaelog and is not a reasonable extension to the existing developed part of the settlement.  The development of a dwelling on this site would lead to pressure to develop the remaining part of the site to the east of the plot as well as to infill development back towards the St. Maelog Church.

Councillor R.A. Dew, a Local Member stated that this application is for a dwelling on a brownfield site on the outskirts of the village of Llanfaelog which is currently being used as a builder’s yard.  This proposed dwelling would be for the owner of the builder’s yard to retire and would not be sold on the open market.  Councillor Dew referred to the reference within the report with regard to the development of brownfield sites and gives priority to land that has been developed previously.  He considered that a dwelling on this site would enhance the area and that it does conforms with Policy 50 as an infill site. 

Councillor Lewis Davies proposed that the application be approved contrary to the Officer’s recommendation as he considered that a dwelling on this site would improve the area.  Councillor T.V. Hughes seconded the proposal.  The reasons given for approval were that the proposed dwelling does conform with Policy 50, it is an infill site as the site has been previously developed and that it does not harm the amenities of the area.

It was RESOLVED to approve the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation for the reasons given.

(In accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution, the application was automatically deferred to the next meeting to allow Officers the opportunity to prepare a report in respect of the reasons given for approving the application).

12.4  39LPA1026/TPO/CC – Application for works to fell trees which are protected by a Tree Preservation Order at Old Reservoir, Pentraeth Road, Menai Bridge

The application is presented to the Planning and Orders Committee as the application is on Council owned land.

Councillor Lewis Davies proposed that the application be approved and Councillor Vaughan Hughes seconded the proposal.

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

12.5  41C8G/DEL – Application under Section 73 for the removal of condition (10) (details of a passing bay) from planning permission reference 41C8C (full application for the change of use of land for the siting of 33 touring caravans) and the creation of a one-way access system in lieu at Garnedd Ddu, Star

Having declared a prejudicial interest in this application, Councillor Lewis Davies withdrew from the meeting for the consideration and determination thereof.

The application is presented to the Planning and Orders Committee as the application is made for the deletion of condition 10 of planning permission 41C8C (full application for the change of use of land for the siting of 33 touring caravans).  It was reported that Condition 10 required the creation of a passing bay on the approach road to the site.  In lieu of providing a passing bay, a one way access system at the site entrance is proposed with a new access onto the public highway.

Councillor Jim Evans, a Local Member read out correspondence he received by Dr. Edwards, Castellfryn, Gaerwen to the Committee.  The correspondence challenged the amendment of Condition 10.

Councillor R. Meirion Jones, a Local Member emphasised that the applicants were advised by Officers that a passing bay was required when they first submitted their planning application reference 41C8C.  However, he appreciated the objections with regard to the removal of condition (10) but stated that a one-way system is an amendment to the condition regarding a passing bay.  Only one condition of all those previously imposed on planning application 41C8C has been requested to be removed.  Councillor Jones said that the Highways Authority is willing to accept the removal of condition 10 but that a one-way system must be undertaken at the site. 

The Planning Development Manager informed the Committee that since the report was written 8 letters and a petition of 19 names of objections and has been received with regard to this application.  Despite suggested conditions by the Highways Authority, the Planning and Orders Committee took a view that an additional condition requiring the formation of a passing bay was required to deal with traffic arising from the proposed development.  Discussions have taken place with the applicants and Officers from the Highways Authority with regard to a traffic management plan which was agreed and a one-way system is proposed.

The Highways Officer said that there were concerns with regard to a narrow access to the site; traffic would have to enter and depart the site from this access and that is why a passing bay was previously suggested with regard to this application.  The road to this site is a public highway and it was considered that a one-way system was a safer option.

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

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