Agenda item

We considered the report of the application which was recommended for approval subject to the eight conditions outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement requiring the following:

S106 Heads of Terms

35% of the residential units must be affordable.

The new block shall not be constructed unless in conjunction with, or following the completion of the conversion and re-build of the existing buildings on the site.

If the S106 Agreement is not signed within 6 months of the Planning Committee's resolution then delegated powers be granted to officers to refuse the application.

Having received the report of the application, the following points were noted:

·         The view was expressed that, whilst there may be parking limitations, redevelopment is long overdue and single occupants might not own cars given the highly sustainable location of the site.

·         Provision of housing is more important than parking.  This is a long standing derelict site and it was suggested that more use of the site could be made if the whole site was demolished. Affordable units are a high priority. 

·         It is our role to preserve heritage sites such as these and there was no objection to refurbishment, redevelopment or new build.  Concern was expressed about exacerbating existing parking problems and the assumption that prospective residents would not be car owners.  The need for affordable housing is well understood but not at any cost. 

·         The 2.5 storeys of the new build was questioned as it looks more like 3 storeys and is out of keeping with other properties on St. Michael’s Rd. The outlook of properties opposite would be affected.

Regarding the retention and heritage value of the existing buildings and the new build, the Head of Planning, Housing and Place Shaping reminded Members that we have a statutory duty, as this is a conservation area, to protect or enhance the character or appearance of the area.  The opinion of Officers is that the correct balance has been struck.

·         It was confirmed that there should be 35% affordable housing.  Melin will exceed this percentage and should deliver up to 50% from the new build block.

·         A Committee Member questioned if a sympathetic modern building would be acceptable in legal terms as this may fit in better and still provide 24 units plus an opportunity to increase parking spaces. It was confirmed that the design had been considered at pre-application stages and various options have been considered trying to balance the preservation of heritage, the cost of conversion and sufficient parking.

·         For 24 units, it was observed that there are insufficient parking places and suggested that the proposal was over-development. 

·         A Committee Member provided information that the Welsh Government parking space threshold, and that of other authorities, where one bedroom units are proposed, is lower than ours and suggested that our criteria is reviewed.

It was proposed by County Councillor P. Murphy  and seconded by County Councillor M. Powell that application DC/2018/00156 be approved subject to the eight conditions outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement requiring the following:

S106 Heads of Terms

35% of the residential units must be affordable.

The new block shall not be constructed unless in conjunction with, or following the completion of the conversion and re-build of the existing buildings on the site.

If the S106 Agreement is not signed within 6 months of the Planning Committee's resolution then delegated powers be granted to officers to refuse the application.

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were recorded:

For Approval               -           8

Against Approval         -           5

Abstentions:                -           0

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DC/2018/00156 be approved subject to the eight conditions outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement requiring the following:

S106 Heads of Terms

35% of the residential units must be affordable.

The new block shall not be constructed unless in conjunction with, or following the completion of the conversion and re-build of the existing buildings on the site.

If the S106 Agreement is not signed within 6 months of the Planning Committee's resolution then delegated powers be granted to officers to refuse the application.