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 and subject to final confirmation from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) that the development would not have an adverse impact on water quality within the river Usk catchment.

The Head of Planning informed the Committee that the permit review at Raglan Treatment works is the first in Wales undertaken by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).  NRW is using this application as a test case.

The local Member for Raglan, attending the meeting by invitation of the Chair, outlined the following points:

·         The local Member is in favour of the proposed development.

·         The development will afford opportunities to local residents of Raglan.

·         Raglan residents have raised some areas of concern regarding sewerage. There have been some long-standing issues regarding this matter and it was hoped that these issues would be addressed before development takes place.

·         Flooding on the roads can be severe and it was hoped that TAN 15 guidelines had been used to assess and address the flood risk in this area.

The Development Services Manager responded as follows:

·         Welsh Water has advised that there is no objection to this scheme and has not identified any infrastructure issues that require improvement in relation to the proposed development.

·         The flooding issues have been properly investigated. A plan has been established which identifies the southern part of the site being in the flood zone. This area needs to be retained as a flooding area and biodiversity habitat. 

·         There will not be any negative impacts to existing dwellings from this development.

·         The proposed development will be SuDS Approval Body (SAB) compliant.

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

·         The proposed development was welcomed.

·         Directly opposite Brookland’s Lodge there is a National Speed Limit sign exiting the area. Going into the area the speed limit is 30mph. It was suggested that an extension of 20mph zoning could be looked at when entering the area.

·         Concern was expressed regarding having a footpath at this location due to the bend in the road and the speed of vehicles.

·         A sum of £3132 per dwelling towards the provision of recreation / community facilities in Raglan has been secured as well as £30,000 to pump prime and enhance the local bus service including route numbers 60 and 82.

·         There will be additional Green Infrastructure (GI) to enhance the site and create more ecological corridors for wildlife.

·         Benches will be located along the public open space. Raglan Community Council has already installed benches at various locations within the area.

It was proposed by County Councillor D. Rooke and seconded by County Councillor A. Easson that application DM/2021/02070 be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report and subject to final confirmation from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) that the development would not have an adverse impact on water quality within the river Usk catchment.

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

For approval             -           12

Against approval      -           0

Abstentions               -           0

The proposition was carried.

We resolved that application DM/2021/02070 be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report and subject to final confirmation from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) that the development would not have an adverse impact on water quality within the river Usk catchment.