Agenda item

[NOTE: Councillor H.I. Jones, having earlier declared a personal interest in this application, left the meeting prior to the consideration and determination thereof.]

The Development Management Officer (South) referred to the private site visit undertaken by the Committee earlier that day (Minute 4.1 of the Planning Committee held on the 29^th June, 2017 refers) the purpose of which had been to afford the Committee the opportunity of viewing the site in light of the representations as set out in the Head of Planning’s report:- 

·         to gain an understanding of the developments potential impact upon the infrastructure in the area and the safety of residents.

·         to view the proposed location of the sewerage tanks/pumps and the potential for overlooking to occur.

·         to afford the whole of the committee the opportunity of visiting the site as, only 6 of its members were members of the previous planning committee which had visited the site in connection with the original outline planning application S/15702.

Prior to outlining the Head of Planning’s report on the application, the Development Management Officer (South) reported that he had received two further letters of representation the contents of which were read to the Committee and concerns were addressed.

Reference was made, with the aid of powerpoint slides, and addendum, to the written report of the Head of Planning which provided an appraisal of the site with a description of the development, a summary of consultation responses received and information on the local and national policies which were relevant to the assessment of the application.  The Committee was advised that the Head of Planning was recommending approval of the application for the reasons detailed within her written report.

Representations were received expressing concerns to the proposed development re-iterating the points detailed within the Head of Planning’s report and included the following:-

·         The development will be detrimental to the village of Bynea by way of increased risk of flooding and risk to public health because of the excessive demand placed on the public sewer.

·         The methods of surface water disposal will have a detrimental impact upon Welsh Water’s infrastructure and increase the risk of flooding to the lower parts of Bynea particularly when combined with periods of heavy rainfall.

·         The development should not be permitted until Welsh Water can give assurance that sewerage infrastructure works in and around Bynea have been completed and that the sewerage system will be able to accommodate the additional demand.

·         Highway safety concerns regarding the suitability of the surrounding road infrastructure to cater for the large volume of vehicular traffic that will be generated by the development and the impact upon local residents.

·         The local area lacks general civic amenities including access to shops and recreational facilities as well as inadequate school place provision to cater for the additional service demand.

·         The development would have a direct effect on traffic flow and congestion on roads within their neighbouring Community Council area as well as the whole area generally.

·         Unacceptable increase in traffic flow and congestion along Heol y Mynydd and its junction with Penllwyngwyn Road.

·         The inadequacy of the local highway network to accommodate the additional traffic and the impact upon highway safety. Particular reference is made to the highway and safety impacts along Genwen Road and Penygraig as well as Pendderi Road and Station Road.

·         Proximity of the development to the properties of Llys Pendderi and the impact in terms of loss of privacy and the obstruction of existing views of the estuary.

·         The lack of amenities in the area will result in the development being a car based community.

·         The two and two and a half storey dwellings will be out of keeping with existing properties.

·         Inadequate parking measures within the development.

·         The need for a community hall within the development.

·         The development would detract from the area bringing extra pressure on the local infrastructure rather than enhancing the area.

·         The health and safety impacts of the sewage to be stored in the underground tank and its associated pumping station.

·         The current waste water infrastructure cannot support the waste water produced by the site in heavy rain conditions and has not been guaranteed by Welsh Water.

·         Impact of the volume of water being stored in the attenuation tanks upon the underlying water table.

·         The number of road exits from the estate will create a hazardous highway.

·         No public transport access to the site.

·         The development proposed is not the same as agreed by the Planning Committee when they granted outline planning permission.

·         The two and a half storey dwellings are not in keeping with the area and overlook existing neighbouring properties.

·         The development does not meet the standards set out in the recent Well Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 which the County Council must abide by in that the safety of road users cannot be guaranteed and there is no solution to the extra traffic generated either in terms of safety or increased pollution (noise, traffic, air, dirt, flooding).

·         Impact upon congestion on the M4 motorway

·         Highway and safety impacts of the development

·         Drainage impact of the development in terms of raising the water table

·         Lack of infrastructure in the area such as health care, education and public transport.

·         The sewerage system is inadequate and would not cope with the additional houses and result in the flooding of existing properties in Llwynhendy.

·         The lack of parking spaces.

·         Increased surface water run-off and flooding downslope of the site.

·         Lack of consultation with neighbouring residents.

·         Impact upon local surgeries.

·         Impact upon the wildlife of the area including bats and birds.

·         Loss of biodiversity and habitats – flora and fauna.

·         Lack of capacity in local schools and no park to be provided.

The applicant’s agent and the Development Management Officer (South) responded to the issues raised.

The Chair reminded the Committee that this application was seeking the approval of all the reserved matters for the proposed residential development granted outline planning permission under planning application reference S/15702 on
22^nd December 2015. These included details relating to the proposed means of access, appearance, landscaping, layout, scale of the development and that the development would consist of 240 dwelling units made up of a mix of two, three and four bedroom properties.

RESOLVED that planning application S/33342 be granted subject to the conditions detailed within the Head of Planning’s written report.