Agenda and minutes

County Councillor P. Murphy declared a personal and prejudicial interest pursuant to the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of application DM/2019/02076 as he knows the next door neighbour having served together on Caerwent Community Council. He left the meeting taking no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

County Councillor A. Easson declared a personal and prejudicial interest pursuant to the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of application DM/2019/02076 as he is a friend of one of the objectors.  He left the meeting taking no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting dated 1^st December 2020 were confirmed and signed by the Chair subject to the following amendment:

Application DM/2020/01328 – bullet points 12 and 13 made reference to a ’50 metre space’ This should be amended to read ’15 metre space’.

Before considering application DM/2018/00834, the Head of Planning informed the Planning Committee that notification from Welsh Government had been received indicating that a request had been made for the application to be called in by Welsh Government regarding its determination. Welsh Government is currently investigating whether a call in is required or not. Welsh Government considers that Monmouthshire County Council’s Planning Committee should consider the application on its merits with a view to determining the application.  Following Planning Committee’s decision, Welsh Government will come to a decision on whether it should call in the application or not.

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the 17 conditions outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Agreement.

In noting the detail of the application, the following points were identified:

·         There is a need for affordable housing provision in the Abergavenny area.

·         Approval of the application will provide 100% affordable housing within the area.

·         The consultees are in favour of approval of the application.

·         The application complies with Planning Policy Wales (PPW).

·         A request was made whether the style and design of the proposed dwellings could be improved to comply with its rural location. Conditions could be added to address the use of materials on the development.

·         A request was made for porches and storage space to be added to the dwellings. The use of materials, addition of porches and storage space could be addressed with the applicant via the Delegation Panel.

·         Affordable housing properties are required to be built to a very high standard.

·         Solar panels will be located on the south facing roof slopes of the properties within the site.

·         The materials used will be of a high quality.

·         The design is simple and functional and appropriate to the context.

·         The site will provide sufficient parking provision allowing safe turning provision within the site.

It was proposed by County Councillor R. Harris and seconded by County Councillor M. Feakins that application DM/2018/00834 be approved subject to the 17 conditions outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Agreement. It was also proposed by County Councillor R. Edwards and seconded by County Councillor M. Feakins that conditions be added to be considered via the Delegation Panel that external finishes be agreed and that porches be added to the dwellings with storage space large enough to accommodate a bicycle or wheelchair.

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

In favour of the proposals               -           12

Against the proposals                     -           0

Against the proposals                     -           0

The propositions were carried.

We resolved that that application DM/2018/00834 be approved subject to the 17 conditions outlined in the report and subject to a Section 106 Agreement and that conditions be added to be considered via the Delegation Panel that external finishes be agreed and that porches be added to the dwellings with storage space large enough to accommodate a bicycle or wheelchair.

We considered the report of the application which was recommended for approval subject to the 13 conditions outlined in the report.

In noting the detail of the application the following points were identified:

·         Safeguards are in place with an evacuation plan.

·         The site is located within C2 with upper floor development proposed.

·         It is conditioned that a full flood evacuation plan will be submitted.

It was proposed by County Councillor M. Feakins and seconded by County Councillor P. Murphy that application DM/2019/01842 be approved subject to the 13 conditions outlined in the report.

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

For approval             -           13

Against approval      -           0

Abstentions               -           1

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2019/01842 be approved subject to the 13 conditions outlined in the report.

We considered the report of the application which was recommended for approval.

The Development Services Manager read out a statement by objectors to the application from Mr. Lund and Mr. Parrish, as follows:

‘Once again you have placed your own wording amendment to this proposed Management Plan. The Monmouthshire County Council Planning Committee proposed and seconded that the terminology " no single people" will be placed in this building. At a later date at a meeting held in Caldicot Town Council meeting room alongside Monmouthshire Housing Association Officials, MHA stated to Craig O'Connor that they as the applicants "had no objections to the Planning Committee’s proposal and statement of wording of "No Single People" to be placed in this property. Craig O'Connor stated "that he would get this amendment placed within 28 days but likely to be within the week" (Quoted and document by Craig at this meeting) and has yet again failed to do so and renegaded on his.

The management plan should state "as proposed" "No Single People will be placed within this dwelling it will be used for families only with a maximum of six people".

MHA - the applicant, of this property stated at the 20th August 2020 meeting that they have no objections to these conditions or statements and Karen Tarbox their legal representative stated that the wording "No Single People" should be included in the Management Plan and there would be a clear breach of the law if any single people are placed there. Still Not Actioned.

Kate Young and Craig O'Connor decided as stated in an email that they did not like this and you would change it going against Planning approval committee documented agreement.

What right and authority do you have to alter what the Planning Committee and the applicant have both approved?

It certainly brings into question the total honesty and integrity of the MCC Planning department and its obvious dishonest and unprofessional members within this area.

With the current amount and proposed increases in house building within the Caldicot area it beggars belief that more suitable properties cannot be found where families each have their own front door and garden area rather than shared accommodation which is fully illustrated by the current pandemic does not work both for health, safety and social reasons.

As this property has a blind corner alongside the steepness of this driveway is still non compliant and presents a hazard to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users, you as a council have a "Duty of Care" to all those involved in this decision and are accountable for this. There is a danger and you have repeatedly recognised this danger and now this is to become an Active Travel Route of Monmouthshire with no alterations undertaken for the safety of the whole community. As you have recognised this hazard and yet not acted upon it should any incident occur, you are now personally liable for ignoring your duty of care within the community. As this property  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the eight conditions outlined in the report and subject to an additional condition outlined in late correspondence.

The local Member for Caerwent, also a Planning Committee Member, outlined the following points:

·         The application is not popular locally.

·         Due to the site constraints there is no alternative position within the curtilage that could be utilised.

·         There will be a management plan tied to the property which is essential.

·         If approved, the local Member would like the timber cladding to be larch so that it will change to a silver colour over time.

·         There are flooding concerns in the valley but this will be subject to a SuDs application.  There is also an attenuation pond within the site.

·         The application fits the criteria and lends itself to the activities at The Cwm.

Having considered the report of the application and the views expressed, the following points were noted:

·         The proposed outbuilding would measure approximately 22m long, 8m deep with a maximum height of 6.7m falling to 3.8m at eaves level.

·         With regard to the disposal of waste water, the scheme will be subject to SuDs consent in which the SuDs Team will review its suitability.

·         In terms of foul water disposal, a new facility is being proposed.  Its suitability will be assessed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

It was proposed by County Councillor P. Murphy and seconded by County Councillor A. Easson that application DM/2020/00855 be approved subject to the eight conditions outlined in the report and subject to an additional condition outlined in late correspondence.

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

For approval             -           10

Against approval      -           0

Abstentions               -           1

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2020/00855 be approved subject to the eight conditions outlined in the report and subject to an additional condition outlined in late correspondence.

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the seven conditions outlined in the report.

Councillor I. Martin, representing Shirenewton Community Council, had submitted a written statement outlining the community council’s objections to the application which was read to the Planning Committee by the Head of Planning, as follows:

“Shirenewton Community Council’s recommendation to the Planning Committee is for refusal on the following grounds:

There is an existing 2017 consent for a smaller cottage than is now proposed. We had objected to the 2017 application as an unwarranted intrusion on the open countryside but as consent was granted we take the pragmatic view that its appearance better reflects the local architecture and landscape compared to the current application. A much larger building was applied for last year and refused by Monmouthshire County Council.

The current application seeks consent for a larger dwelling over 50% more than the existing consent and the design has been significantly revised with hipped roof ends and a Juliet balcony. Roof hips are not a traditional Monmouthshire building feature and Juliet balconies are most certainly not, and both features are out of keeping.

We are not persuaded by the argument that the applicant could put a larger caravan on the site without the need for further consent. The certificate of lawfulness was in the opinion of the Planning Officer at the time of the 2017 application merely an authorisation that caravan could remain on site but once its use as a residence had ended (and it has been unoccupied for some years) it should be removed and the land restored to its original agricultural state.

No garaging or other outbuildings are included in the floor area and volume calculations and further development in these regards can be expected. At the least a condition should be imposed removing the application of the general development order.

We wish to encourage this community's young families to remain close to their roots. Larger houses in this area are too expensive for them. For this reason we prefer the 2017 design. We note that as this application represents a replacement dwelling no infrastructure contribution is required and the community will not therefore have additional funds to provide resources for our inhabitants.  If this application is approved we would wish to see a condition requiring local connection occupation only.

The site is partly screened from the road by trees which we consider important in alleviating the overall impact of the building and these should be retained in any event by a planning condition. We would further request that the comments of the landscape and biodiversity officers be included in the conditions were consent to be given.”

Mr. D. Glasson, applicant’s agent, had submitted a written statement in support of the application which was read to the Planning Committee by the Head of Planning, as follows:

“This application is simply a revision to the replacement dwelling approved in 2018. It is not a rural  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

We received the Planning Inspectorate report which related to an appeal decision following a site visit that had been held at 13A Fosterville Crescent, Abergavenny on 9^th November 2020.____

We noted that the appeal had been dismissed.

We received the Planning Inspectorate report which related to an appeal decision following a site visit that had been held at Horseshoes Barn, Great Park Farm, Great Park Road, Llanvihangel Crucorney, Abergavenny on 1^st December 2020.

We noted that the appeal had been dismissed.

We received the Planning Inspectorate report which related to an appeal decision following a site visit that had been held at Rear Barn, Manor Farm, St. Bride’s Road, St. Bride’s Netherwent, Caldicot on 24^th November 2020.

We noted that the appeal had been dismissed.