Agenda item

We considered the report of the application and late correspondence which was recommended for approval subject to the conditions outlined in the report with an additional condition that the height of the hedge to the front of the boundary should be maintained at a minimum of two metres in height.

The local Member for Rogiet, attending the meeting by invitation of the Chair, outlined the following information:

·         The report refers to legislation which places an obligation on the Authority to consider such applications.  Consider does not mean approve.

·         The local Member has liaised with residents who live near the site and has liaised with Rogiet Community Council.

·         Rogiet Community Council has presented several objections to the application.

·         The application refers to a large static caravan and a block built stable which replaced a wooden stable.  No horses have been kept on the site since the stable had been built.

·         The block built stable is to be converted into a day room which is a permanent extension to the static caravan. There are also connections to the main sewer which the local Member considers to be a permanent arrangement.

·         The local Member considers that approval of this application will result in a permanent residential site.

·         Previous attempts to develop the site have been rejected as applications have laid outside the terms of the Local Development Plan (LDP).  Protections provided by the LDP must be considered.

·         Whilst the area in question is not a part of the green wedge it has been a part of the rural vista.

·         The Landscape Green Infrastructure holding objection from December 2021 was quoted.  It was considered that the matters raised in this objection had only partially been mitigated by amendments to the original application.

·         The applicants had proposed the same site as a candidate site for housing under the revised LDP suggesting that it would be easier for the applicant to obtain approval for housing development.

·         It was considered that each application stage is a way to obtaining permanent housing on the site. However, the report of the application dismisses this as irrelevant.  Concern was expressed whether the application was a legitimate application for a family home or whether it was a speculative venture aiming to cash in on the housing market.

·         It was considered that the applicant was exploring options with a view to maximising the land as a planning asset.

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

·         There is a need for legal traveller sites within the County.

·         This is a small site with one caravan, one touring pitch and a day room.

·         The site has utilities such as mains water and electricity.

·         The site is well screened with a laurel hedge and a panel fence which would not create a detrimental visual impact from the road or the surrounding area.  The hedge should be maintained as laurel or be replaced with a hedge that does not leaf drop. Advice from the ecologist could be sought regarding this matter. Officers could look at amending the landscape of the plans.

·         The nearest property to the site will retain its privacy due to the orientation of this property.

·         If approved, the height of the hedge should be maintained to the minimum height of two metres, as identified.

·         With regard to the access, the applicant had submitted amended drawings that meet the requirements of the Highways Department.  The existing access will be altered accordingly and accord with current standards, should the application be approved.

·         With regard to the drainage, if the public sewers are available in the nearby lane or via the B4245, Welsh Water has a duty to enable connection for residential properties. Therefore, the applicant will have a right of entry onto the public sewerage system. It was noted that Welsh Water will be connecting the site to the public sewerage system.

·         The Head of Planning informed the Committee that a condition could be added that the amended scheme access is erected prior to the beneficial use of the site.

It was proposed by County Councillor J. McKenna and seconded by County Councillor A. Webb that application DM/2021/01695 be approved subject tothe conditions outlined in the report with the following additional conditions:

·         The height of the hedge to the front of the boundary should be maintained at a minimum of 1.8 metres in height in perpetuity.

·         Specifications of the landscaping will be submitted in relation to the species of hedge.

·         Hedging and access will be constructed in accordance with the approved plans prior to the beneficial use of the site.

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

In favour of the proposal                 -           12

Against the proposal                       -           1

Abstentions                                       -           0

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2021/01695 be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report with the following additional conditions:

·         The height of the hedge to the front of the boundary should be maintained at a minimum of 1.8 metres in height in perpetuity.

·         Specifications of the landscaping will be submitted in relation to the species of hedge.

·         Hedging and access will be constructed in accordance with the approved plans prior to the beneficial use of the site.