Agenda item

12.1 – FPL/2024/304 – Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead

FPL/2024/304

12.1        FPL/2024/304 – Full application for the creation of a parking area, footpath and cycle path at Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee as the application involves a site which is owned by the Isle of Anglesey County Council.

The Planning Development Manager reported that the application is for  parking spaces, footpath and cycle path at the Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead.  The existing walking and cycling path run along the access road and comes to an end before the entrance gate of the Breakwater Country Park.  As part of this application, the path will be extended by around 150m to the west, leading to the main hub of the country park.  It will be a 3m wide path that will be constructed of loose gravel to match the existing path.  This work will include the relocation of the sign at the site entrance, a pedestrian crossing and some vegetation removal.  Together with the cycling and walking path, twelve new parking bays will be created on the grassed area along the access road, to the east of four existing roadside spaces.  Wildflower meadows will be created and managed in the adjacent field.  The  Council’s Ecological Advisor is satisfied with the proposal, as it will provide overall biodiversity enhancement.  The Highways Authority have confirmed that they have no objection to the proposal subject to a Traffic Management Plan been submitted as the road leading from Newry Beach to the Breakwater Country Park is narrow. 

Councillor Glyn Haynes and a Local Member said that he welcomed the proposal as it will be a natural extension to the current provision on the site.

Councillor Robert Ll Jones and a Local Member said that he supported the application as the Breakwater Country Park is a popular site with locals and tourists.  He referred to the twelve parking spaces to be created and ascertained whether grasscrete could be used in place of tarmac as a base for the parking spaces.  The Planning Development Manager responded that changing the plans for the development would require further consultation and as this proposal is depended on grant funding there is a risk of loosing the funding.  He noted that tarmacking the twelve-parking space would be the same finish as the existing road and the four parking spaces adjacent. 

Councillor Jeff Evans said that he also supported the application, however, he referred that there are issues with the ‘speedbumps’ leading to the Breakwater Country Park as they are too high, and he questioned whether there will be further issues with the creation of additional twelve parking spaces leading to the park.  The Planning Development Manager responded that the road leading to the park is an unclassified highway and the Highways Authority have limited control over the road and the matter should be raised with the Breakwater Country Park Manager. 

Councillor Dafydd Roberts proposed that the application be approved.  Councillor Geraint Bebb seconded the proposal of approval.

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