Agenda and minutes

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so.  A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested.

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

The following apologies for absence were received from:-

Councillor D. Hancock

Councillor L. Winnett

To consider any declarations of interest and dispensations made.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

Consideration was given to the report of the Senior Business Support Officer.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the information therein be noted.

To consider the report of the Service Manager Development and Estates.

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Development and Estates.

The Service Manager Development and Estates spoke to the report and outlined the key points. It was noted that Quarter 1 covered lockdown period and it was advised that the performance was not necessarily representative of the service in Blaenau Gwent and across Wales. The Planning Department had been subject to sickness absences, adapting to remote working and a number of officers had been redeployed to assist with the emergency situation. In this context the Service Manager felt that the reduction in performance was acceptable.

The Chair wished to express thanks to the Planning Department as the report was a credit to the Department for the maintained performance during Quarter 1 due to challenges faced by the service.

The Service Manager confirmed that the development industry had continued to work through the lockdown period and staff had worked hard to ensure these frontline services had been available and continued during the pandemic.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the information therein be noted.

To consider the report of the Service Manager Development and Estates.

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Development and Estates.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the information therein be noted.

To consider report of the Planning Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Planning Officer.

The Service Manager Development and Estates spoke to the report and reminded Members that the application had been refused at February Planning Committee contrary to the officer’s decision. It was noted that the Inspector felt that one car parking space was acceptable as the development was near transport links.

The Ward Members noted their disappointment in the approval of this appeal as similar facilities had caused problems for residents in other areas.

Discussion ensued around transport links in this area, as Members were of the opinion that public transport across Blaenau Gwent was not sufficient. A Member was of the opinion that the Cwm Ward was no different to other areas in Blaenau Gwent and therefore asked for an explanation on the transport links available.

It was reported that an explanation was provided in the Inspector’s Report.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the appeal decision in relation to planning application C/2019/0308 be noted.

To consider report of the Planning Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Planning Officer.

The Service Manager Development and Estates referred to the Appeal against at application which had been determined under delegated powers. The Service Manager outlined the findings of the Inspector and noted that due to the flood risk the appeal was dismissed.

A Ward Member welcomed the appeals decision of the inspector.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the appeal decision in relation to planning application C/2019/0279 be noted.

To consider report of the Planning Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Planning Officer.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the appeal decision in relation to planning application C/2019/0219 be noted.

To consider report of Team Manager Development Management.

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

Application No. C/2020/0148:

The Bridge, Station Approach, Pontygof, Ebbw Vale

Change of use to nursery, bin storage, escape stair, landscaping and associated car park

It was reported that this application had been placed before Committee in October and a long debate had ensued around the flood risk of the development. 

The officer recommendation had been for refusal based on the flood risk of a highly vulnerable development, however the Planning Committee granted planning permission subject to appropriate conditions. The Committee had agreed to defer the decision in order for officers to present a list of relevant planning conditions to be drafted and present those conditions to this Committee for consideration.

A Member referred to the condition which related to business hours of 8.00 am to 6.00 pm and asked if this was normal procedure or an additional condition only applicable to this application. The Service Manager Estates and Development advised that these hours were suggested by the applicant and officer added extra hours to provide flexibility for the business. The condition related to opening hours of the facility and was normal practice and did not prevent staff being on site before and after this time, although the condition could be removed if Members wished.

The Member felt that as long as the applicant was not at a disadvantage the condition could be included.

Following a discussion and vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED that Planning Permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions contained in the report.

Application No. C/2020/0156: Former

Brynmawr Clinic, Lower Bailey Street, Brynmawr

Construction of Supported Living Accommodation Comprising 5 No. 1 bed flats, communal areas, staff accommodation and associated works

The Service Manager Development and Estates informed the Committee that correspondence had been received from Councillor Lyn Elias, Ward Member and outlined the correspondence, as follows:-

“Please would you put my observations before the Committee on this development.

The developer met with Ward Members in January with initial proposals. There was concerns expressed re the development mainly around vehicle access, parking and what client and supervision on site.

Lower Bailey Street was a narrow road 9 feet wide and already suffered from limited parking places. I agree with points raised in 1-3,3-2 to 3-6 in the report I also support the response in 3-18. I did suggest to the developer because of parking issues they look at the parcel of ground at the rear of this development which may allay the concerns regarding parking.

Please would the committee consider a deferment until questions are answered or a site visit so that they could have sight of the problems that additional vehicle movements would cause.

Thank you for taking mine concerns before committee.”

The Service Manager also reported a second late correspondence from a resident who had previously raised similar objections in earlier correspondence which had been received.

At the invitation of the Chair, the Planning Officer outlined the application for the construction of Supported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To consider.

No areas for training and Members Briefing were brought forward.