Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Team Manager Development Management.

Consideration was given to the report of the Team Manager Development Management.

The Service Manager Development & Estates explained the following planning applications to Members with the aid of slides.

Application No. C/2019/0310 – 1 Hawthorn Glade, Tanglewood, Blaina, NP13 3JT – Retention and Extension of Raised Decking Area

The Service Manager Development & Estates presented the application which sought permission to retain and extend a raised decking area within the rear garden.  He confirmed that one letter of objection had been received listing a number of issues, which were listed at section 3.9 of the report.  However, the main issue concern was that the visual impact of the decking was overbearing, and would have an adverse impact on the privacy and amenity of neighbouring properties.

At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor G. Collier (Ward Member) addressed the Committee.  He said the Tanglewood development was set on a steep sloping hillside in the community of Blaina.  No. 1 Hawthorne Glade was a four bedroomed house situated on a corner plot adjoining Tanglewood Drive, and was occupied by the applicant, his wife and 2 young children.

The proposed development was for the retention and extension of raised decking over a very odd shaped rear garden. The existing garden had approximately a 50% flat area with the rest slopping steeply (approx. 45 degrees) down to the existing fence-line which sat within the boundary plot (see fig 1.4). The development, if approved, would provide a flat area over the whole of the existing garden area, thus allowing full use of the whole garden area to be enjoyed by the family.

Councillor Collier referred to the Officer recommendation for refusal which stated that:

‘By virtue of its scale and mass, the retention of the raised decking is considered to be an unduly dominant feature that has an adverse visual impact upon the street scene.’

He said he believed this concern could be addressed by planting of Leyland spruce trees, or similar, which would give a completely different appearance to what currently existed,

‘The structure would cause material harm to the living conditions of the occupiers of neighbouring residential properties by having an overbearing impact and causing loss of privacy.’

He said he did not believe this to be a justifiable reason to refuse the application.  The very nature of the landscape at this development (the steeply sloping mountainside) meant the properties of Woodland Walk overlooked Beech Tree Crescent, and Hawthorn Glade overlooked Woodland Walk.

He concluded that he believed from day one that the proposal had been seen as “we can’t have this type of development in Blaenau Gwent”, instead of seeing it as an opportunity to provide what the applicant was aiming to achieve, namely having a flat garden area at the rear of his home.

He asked the Committee to approve the application with the proviso that landscaping take place on the owners’ land bordering Tanglewood Drive.

Mr. Terry Morgan the agent acting on behalf of the applicant also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7