Issue - meetings

7.1 FPL/2024/230 – Mona House, Holyhead Road, Gwalchmai

FPL/2024/230

7.2 FPL/2024/65 – Bryn Cwr, Gwalchmai

FPL/2024/65

7.1 FPL/2024/230 – Full application for the change of use of the existing ground floor of dwelling to form part of existing shop (A1 Use) at Mona House, Holyhead Road, Gwalchmai

It was resolved to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation and report subject to the planning conditions set out therein.

7.2 FPL/2024/65 – Retrospective application for the construction of a slurry lagoon on land near Bryn Cwr, Gwalchmai

It was resolved to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation and report subject to the planning conditions set out therein and to amending condition (03) to require that all fencing shall be installed within three months of the date of the planning permission.

FPL/2024/230 – Full application for the change of use of the existing ground floor of dwelling to form part of existing shop (A1 Use) at Mona House, Holyhead Road, Gwalchmai

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of a Local Member who was concerned that the proposal would exacerbate local parking and traffic issues. At its meeting held on 4 December 2024, the committee resolved to conduct a site visit which subsequently took place on 18 December 2024.

The Planning Development Manager reported that the application is to extend the existing retail facility into the adjacent dwelling and to create a one bedroom flat above with access provided by an external stairway to the rear. The scheme will only increase the floor area of the existing retail unit and does not entail creating any new units.  As such the scheme is acceptable in principle and must be assessed against other material considerations. The main concerns are in relation to highway issues and are the reason for the Local Member calling in the application. The proposed increase of 37m2 in the retail floor area means that the parking requirement increases by 3 spaces in accordance with the Highway Authority’s parking standards. The scheme proposes the creation of 3 new parking spaces to the rear of the site with existing access provided from the A5 highway. The provision of 3 additional parking spaces along with suitable means of access and sufficient visibility of 2.4m x 45m are considered acceptable by the Highways Authority. While the Local Member has raised concerns regarding existing parking and traffic issues in this location, it is not a matter for the planning process to resolve existing issues. In the context of the application, the parking requirements have been met in line with the Local Authority’s parking standards and therefore there is no reason to refuse the application on this basis. The Planning Development Manager highlighted that extending the shop does not necessarily mean increased use of the shop or a worsening of traffic problems. The shop is considered an asset to the community and the provision of 3 extra parking spaces will improve the overall situation. The Community Council has not directly objected to the proposal and no letters of representations have been received. The Officer’s recommendation is therefore to approve the application.

The Chair read out comments forwarded to him and to the Planning Development Manager in respect of the application by Councillor Neville Evans, a member of the Committee and a Local Member who was unable to be present at this meeting. Those comments referred to a letter having now been received from the Community Council raising parking issues specifically the risk of an accident should a vehicle reverse into the road from the very small parking space for 3 vehicles as seen on the site visit. Councillor Evans confirms that neither he nor the Community Council have any objections to the shop but wish to again note and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7