Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Team Manager Development Management.

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

Application No. C/2020/0106 – PCI Pharma Services  Unit 23-24 Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate Tredegar  - Construction of New Packaging Line Building, Retaining Wall and Covered Pedestrian Walkway Linking New Packaging Line Building with New Car Park

At the invitation of the Chair, the Team Manager Development Management gave details of the planning application which related to the proposed construction ofa large new packaging line building within the existing PCI Pharma ServicesLtd complex (formerly known as Penn Pharmaceuticals) located on theeastern edge of the Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate, Tredegar. The currentapplication also related to some associated development, namely abridge/covered pedestrian walkway that would link the new building with arecently constructed car park to the north of the existing complex and anextended section of reinforced concrete retaining walling.  It was noted that at this stage it was unknown whether the extended section of the retaining walling would be required.

Over recent months PCI, had embarked upon what they explain to be ‘an expansion of its facility to enhance its highly potent drug manufacturing and development capabilities, including both clinical and commercial supply which would support the growth of the business’ and during the last 12 months planning permission had been granted by the Authority for two separate developments on the site namely, the construction of a large new pharmaceutical containment facility building with a new large car parking area to the north of the existing complex and a new replacement laboratory facility. Such developments and the current proposal were viewed by the company as the first phase of a growth programme which would potentially see a significant increase to their workforce over the next five years.

Members were advised that the car parking provision would provide 183 spaces and would cover the parking needs of this current development plus the two separate developments that had already been granted planning permission.

Details of the proposals were viewed on the images contained in paragraphs 1.5, 1.8 and 1.11 of the report and this included the elevation of the building and a section as viewed from the west showing relative levels of car park, bridge/walkway, proposed building and existing buildings at the rear of existing complex.

On the basis of the scale of the development, the proposed application was classed as a ‘major’ planning application which required determination by the Planning Committee. In this context the application details had been the subject of a statutory pre-application consultation process and the application had been supported by numerous supporting documents detailed in Paragraph 1.13 of the report.  In addition, the company had undertaken significant discussions with the Team Manager at the early stage of the development.

Highways - In terms of consultation, the Highways Authority had raised no objection to the scheme provided that the new car park area previously approved be available for use before the proposed building was brought into use.  It was also confirmed that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7