Agenda item

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

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

·         There is a need to relocate the children’s playground due to health and safety reasons and the proposed site is the most suitable location on the village green.

·         There has been some reluctance from some people in the Monmouth area towards the relocation who consider that no changes should be made to the village green.

·         However, we as an authority have an obligation and a duty to provide a suitable play area in the most suitable location on the village green and to make a significant improvement on the existing play area.

·         The proposed relocation has the support of the majority of parents within the area. However, it was acknowledged that there are some concerns regarding noise levels and the potential for people to gather there in the evenings. The proposed relocation site is only metres away from the existing site and therefore, these arguments should not prevent approval of the application.

·         The final details of the design will be addressed at the reserved matters stage.  However, the design of the fencing and the play equipment will ensure the success of the proposal. Input from local groups would be helpful in delivering the best type of equipment which could be undertaken via consultation.

·         An increase in the levels of biodiversity of the site within the village green should be considered with a view to providing appropriate planting to the original site.  This would also provide much needed buffering of the nearby dual carriageway in respect of the village green.

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

·         The proposed site is more open and safer than the original site.  It is located on the other side of the bund reducing noise levels for residents.

·         The proposed play area will consist of natural materials.

·         Appropriate landscaping will benefit the area.

·         The proposed play area will be located further away from the dual carriageway.

·         Concern was expressed that the proposed new site will not be enclosed to prevent dog fouling of the area. However, it was noted that there might be difficulties involved in fully enclosing the play area located within the village green as this might affect the public access rights of the village green as well as potentially affecting obtaining village green consent for the play area.  However, there are ways of reducing public access by providing appropriate planting as a means of addressing the concerns raised.

·         It was suggested that a proposal be submitted outlining the specific issues that have been identified with a view to obtaining a fenced and gated area for the proposed play area which would improve the health and safety of the children who will be using the play area.

·         A condition could be added that appropriate planting could be used as a suitable means of naturally enclosing the play area. When the village green application is submitted, representations can be made by appropriate organisations. This matter is dealt with by the Welsh Government Planning Inspectorate.  Therefore, providing appropriate planting rather than a fence might be a better way forward.

·         If the Committee was minded to approve the application, subject to the issues identified regarding dog fouling, a condition could be added that a scheme indicating the form of enclosure could be submitted to deal with the dog fouling issue to be agreed by the Local Planning Authority. Planning Officers would work with the Delegation Panel and the local Member to agree a list of consultees with a view to consulting on the type of equipment and the scheme to address the dog fouling issue.

It was proposed by County Councillor M. Feakins and seconded by County Councillor P. Murphy that application DM/2019/01333 be approved subject to the five conditions as outlined in the report and that the following conditions be added:

·         A means of enclosure of the play area to be agreed before works commence on site and carried out in accordance with the approved details before the approved play area is brought into use.

·         A landscaping scheme for the existing play area to be submitted to and agreed by the Local Planning Authority to include its implementation.

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

In favour of the proposal                 -           13

Against the proposal                       -           0

Abstentions                                       -           1

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2019/01333 be approved subject to the five conditions as outlined in the report and that the following conditions be added:

• A means of enclosure of the play area to be agreed before works commence on site and carried out in accordance with the approved details before the approved play area is brought into use.

• A landscaping scheme for the existing play area to be submitted to and agreed by the Local Planning Authority to include its implementation.