Agenda item

Consideration was given to the Report of the Corporate Lead Officer – Economy & Regeneration on the following planning applications which had been considered at a previous meeting and which required further consideration by the Committee:-

 

A210916 - A one planet development with additional track way, an erection of a low impact zero carbon 3 bedroom house, an erection of a wooden workshop for apple juice making and herbal products, an erection of 2 poly tunnels, wildlife pond, Lletty'r Gôg, Llangeitho, Tregaron

 

To REFUSE the application on highway safety grounds.

 

A211186 - The erection of a Class A1 retail Aldi foodstore, the refurbishment of a Grade II listed sports pavilion, the installation of three pre-fabricated wooden exhibition pods, and a nature and biodiversity area with associated access, car parking and landscaping, Trinity St Davids Playing Fields Pontfaen Road, Lampeter

 

To REFUSE the application based upon the following reasons:

·       There is no quantitative or qualitative need for the proposed foodstore in Lampeter.

·       The proposed foodstore would be expected to have a major detrimental impact on the existing Sainsbury's in Lampeter town centre as well as the high street. This would adversely affect the vitality and viability of the town centre, which in turn could further increase vacancies in the centre, at a time when rising vacancies are already a concern.

·       The proposed foodstore is expected to have a major adverse impact on both Aberaeron and Llandysul town centres, with losses of around 10% of total convenience trade predicted. This is a major concern given the importance of the convenience offer to the overall health of both centres and to their role as service centres for their local communities.

·       The proposed development is considered to have a significant adverse effect on the characteristics of the landscape.

·       The proposed development is considered to have a significant adverse effect, of major magnitude, on the setting of the Grade II Listed Pavilion.

·       The proposed development is considered to have a significant adverse effect on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

·       The proposed development is considered to result in the loss of playing space which has not been compensated for elsewhere and the provision is not subject to sufficient enhancements to justify the loss of the pitch.

 

A240169 - Erection of dwelling, agricultural shed and associated works on site of former/abandoned dwelling, Fronlwyd, Llangrannog, Llandysul

 

To REFUSE the application for the following reason:

 

Given the ruinous state of the dwelling subject to the application, the proposal conflicts with criterion 1i of Policy LU09 of the Ceredigion Local Development Plan 2007 – 2022 (adopted 2013). The proposed development is therefore considered as representing new housing in ‘other locations’ contrary to planning policies S01 and S04 of the adopted Ceredigion Local Development Plan 2007-2022 (adopted 2013).

 

A240509 - Change of use from offices (solicitors) to residential Manarafon, Stryd Y Capel, Tregaron

 

A recorded vote was taken in accordance with Part 4, Document I of the Council’s Constitution due to the Committee’s decision being contrary to the Officer recommendation to refuse the application, and a significant departure from policy. Councillor Rhodri Evans proposed against the recommendation, and it was seconded by Councillor Meirion Davies.

 

For the recommendation: Councillor Mark Strong (1)

 

Against the recommendation: Councillors Gethin Davies, Ifan Davies, Marc Davies, Meirion Davies, Raymond Evans, Rhodri Evans, Hugh Hughes, Chris James, Ceris Jones, Gareth Lloyd, Sian Maehrlein & Carl Worrall (12)

 

Abstaining: None

 

It was agreed to APPROVE, subject to conditions and a S.106 legal agreement which would secure a commuted sum payment of 10% of the open market value of the development in accordance with policy S05 of the adopted LDP.  

 

Members did not agree with the recommendation of the Officers to refuse and were of the opinion that the application could be approved for the following reasons:

·       The property currently benefited from a partial permitted change to mixed use for any purposes within Class A2 and as a single flat above.

·       The property was currently unoccupied and had been advertised for sale for commercial purposes for a considerable time – around 18 months. There were concerns that the property would remain vacant over a long period of time should no new commercial user be found and that an empty property would have a detrimental impact upon the street scene, the wider conservation area and the town as a whole.

·       1 or 2 bed ‘starter homes’ such as the property under consideration were in desperate need in Tregaron.

 

A240772 - Full planning application for the proposed resurfacing and reconfiguration of existing car park together with residential development and associated works, Land at Central Car Park, New Quay