Issue - meetings

C/2021/0179 - Glanyrafon Court and adjacent grounds, Site of former sheltered housing at Allotment Road, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5NS

Meeting: 24/11/2021 - Planning, Regulatory & General Licensing Committee (Item 4)

4 C/2021/0179 - Glanyrafon Court and adjacent grounds, Site of former sheltered housing at Allotment Road, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5NS pdf icon PDF 124 KB

To consider the report of the Service Manager Development Services.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Development Services.

 

The Service Manager Development Services reminded Members of the application which had been presented to the last meeting and advised that Members had requested a site meeting be arranged in order to address concerns around the loss of public open space. The Service Manager advised that a fact finding visited had been held and the area for development was clearly marked for Members information.

 

The Service Manager referred to the previous report and noted that the Planning Officer reported that there was a conflict with Policy DM13 in the Local Development Plan which sought to protect open space. However, although there was a conflict within that Policy it was felt that the benefits of the development outweighed the conflict with that policy as there was a need for social housing within the Borough.

 

The Service Manager showed the site with the use of visual aids in order for Members to see the extent of the layout of the proposed application and how it would encroach on the green space in additional to the footprint of the former development.

 

A Member referred to the land which would be used for the development. The Member explained that the area was a lovely open space surrounded by meadow and trees with a river running alongside and a mountain in the backdrop. The green space was such a quiet and peaceful place and the Member felt that this was not just a recreational area it was park that benefited residents over the years and therefore should be protected for future use.

 

The Member felt that Tai Calon had a significant piece of land for development which could be used for bungalows. There was a great need for bungalows in the Borough. The Member advised that there was not a shortage of brownfield sites within the Blaenau Gwent and he felt that it was not necessary to take this park land from residents who had visited this area for many years. The Member stated that such open spaces should be protected for the wellbeing of residents.

 

Another Member welcomed the fact finding meeting as the site was clearly laid out to see the proposed land to be developed. The Member had wished that residents could have seen the actual area for development as the Member felt that it would have addressed a lot of concerns. The Member felt that even with the development the site would remain a welcoming green space for residents.

 

Members concurred with the comments raised and welcomed the development as additional affordable housing was needed in the Borough.

 

A Member referred to the map displayed and the land beyond the boundary line of the proposed development and asked if something could be undertaken to protect this land from being further developed.

 

The Service Manager Development and Estates advised that there were ways in which the Local Planning Authority could exercise future control. It was reported that the Local Planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4