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.

No apologies for absence were received.

To consider any declarations of interest and dispensations made.

The following declarations of interest were raised:-

Councillor Derrick Bevan

Item No 4 – Planning Applications Report

C/2021/0023 - 39 Brecon Heights, Victoria, Ebbw Vale

Retention of summer house in rear garden

Councillor Malcolm Day

Item No 4 – Planning Applications Report

C/2020/0246 - 5 Fairview Terrace, Tillery Road, Abertillery, NP13 1JD - Retention of balcony and canopy over single storey rear extension, French doors and installation of CCTV system comprising 3 cameras to front and 3 cameras to the rear

To consider the report of the Team Manager Development Management.

C/2020/0246

5 Fairview Terrace, Tillery Road, Abertillery, NP13 1JD

Retention of balcony and canopy over single storey rear extension, French doors and installation of CCTV system comprising 3 cameras to front and
3 cameras to the rear

The Team Manager – Development Management advised that Planning permission was sought to retain a balcony and French doors to the rear of the property together with the installation of a retractable canopy over. The application also sought to retain 6 CCTV cameras 3 to the front and 3 to the rear of the dwelling.  The Team Manager provided an overview of the planning application with the assistance of photographs. It was noted that there were no issues raised by external consultees, however the Team Manager outlined the key responses to resident complaints.

The Team Manager further spoke to the report and outlined the planning assessment in terms of balcony, French doors, canopy and CCTV. The Team Manager referred to the objections received in respect of the construction and finishes of the balcony and reminded Members that planning does not control the workmanship of a development. These compliance elements would be regulated by Building Control to ensure the safe and satisfactory construction of the balcony. In terms of the finishes, the materials submitted with the application stated that the balcony was a timber construction which would be clad and rendered and painted grey which was considered to be acceptable. The applicant confirmed his intention to complete the works in line with the schedule. A condition could be imposed which required the works to be completed in accordance with the schedule within a
6-month period.

In terms of impact, there would be overlooking however this would be no difference in the view had from the windows. Therefore, the Team Manager recommended the condition be imposed that would require a privacy screen and the balcony be built with the appropriate materials in order to protect the neighbouring amenity.

The Team Manager further noted concerns raised in relation to the six camera units installed around the property and reminded Members that the planning merits of the case are restricted to the physical appearance of the cameras and the visual impact they have on the host building. The content of what would be recorded and how that data was handled was not a material planning consideration. The recording of data via CCTV was regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office which regulated and enforced the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. With regard to an objector’s comment regarding RIPA (The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000), the Team Manager also pointed out that this was not a planning matter and the RIPA Act referred to the regulation of how public bodies carried out surveillance and does not relate to domestic CCTV.

The Team Manager noted the three cameras to the front of the property and stated that this could be seen as excessive, however due to their size and the placing of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

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

The Team Manager – Development Manager noted the report and advised that a decision had now been received in relation to land at the rear of Park Hill, Tredegar. The appeal was dismissed and the full report would be presented to the next Planning Committee for consideration.

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

To consider the report of the Planning Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Planning Officer.

The Team Manager advised that the report outlined the decision of the Planning Inspectorate in respect of a planning appeal against the refusal of planning permission for 1 Medhurst Court, Farm Road, Nantyglo. The Inspector was of the view that the proposed garage would be readily visible from several viewpoints in Farm Road and its siting and bulk would appear incongruous and would harm the character and appearance of the area, therefore the Inspector DISMISSED the appeal.

The Ward Member welcomed the decision of the Inspector.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the appeal decision be noted for planning application C/2020/0202 as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report.

To consider the report of the Senior Business Support Officer.

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

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the information contained 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 Team Manager – Development Management provided an overview of the report and advised that in terms of performance information the Council had decided 98% of all applications within an 8-week target. This compared to a Welsh average of 81%.

The average number of days taken to determine an application was 74 days from registration to decision set against a Wales average of 89 days. This figure had increased recently, however this was due to the significant increase in the amount of work the Department was dealing with at present. In terms of decisions made, 25% of Planning Committee decisions were made contrary to the officer recommendation. This compared Blaenau Gwent to an all Wales average of 7%.

The Team Manager added that the Department was struggling at the moment in terms of workload and it was felt that this would be the best report that would be seen for a while. There had been a significant increase in applications since January 2021 and teams had been reduced to sickness absence and a member of staff had recently left the Authority. The Team Manager also reported that there had been IT issues at the start of the year which had caused disruption in validating planning applications. It was with these factors in mind that a decision was taken to seek an external provider and someone had been appointed to have a batch of planning applications to assist with the workload over a 3-month period. The Team Manager advised that this situation would be monitored to ascertain if the supported was required for more than the initial 3 months.

A Member welcomed the proactive approach being taken by the Department to assist with the workload at the present time. The Vice-Chair concurred with the comments made and felt it was important that no further pressure was put on current staff.

The Member of the Planning Committee welcomed the report and felt the Department had done a good job under extreme pressure of the pandemic.

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

To discuss.

RESOLVED that future meetings be held at 2.00 p.m.

To consider the report of the Service Manager Development.

Having regard to the views expressed by the Proper Officer regarding the public interest test, that on balance the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and that the report should be exempt.

RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst this item of business is transacted as it is likely there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

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

RESOLVED that the report which contained information relating to a particular individual be accepted and the information contained therein be noted.