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:-

Councillor G. Thomas

Councillor D. Wilkshire

To consider any declarations of interest and dispensations made.

The following declaration of interest was raised:-

Councillor J. Hill

Item 4 – Planning Report - C/2020/0301

Unit 19, Rassau Ind Est, Rassau, Ebbw Vale

Erection of 1 Wind Turbine and

Associated Infrastructure

To consider the report of the Team Manager Development Management.

Consideration was given to the following:-

C/2020/0301

Unit 19, Rassau Ind Est, Rassau, Ebbw Vale

Erection of 1 Wind Turbine and

Associated Infrastructure

The Team Leader Development Management gave an overview of the area in which the wind turbine would be erected with the assistance of visual aids.

The Officer informed Members that an application had been granted in 2019 to erect a single wind turbine at Unit 18, however this was no longer being built as planning permission for the erection of a Synchronous Condenser plant on the same site had been made and was under construction.  Therefore, the developer was now applying for planning permission for a single wind turbine at Unit 19, Rassau Industrial Estate.

The site was in the middle of Rassau Industrial Estate, to the north/north west was open countryside which formed a buffer between the built up area and the boundary of Brecon Beacons National Park. The residential area of Rassau was located beyond to the south, southeast and southwest at a distance of approximately 400m away. The lower level of the estate was separated by the recently realigned A465 and a tree belt. To the east of the Industrial Estate approximately 1 km away was Garnlydan which was a similar elevation to the proposed turbine.

The Officer noted that there was already two wind turbines 74m and 77m in height on the estate approximately
550 metres to the south-west and 650m to the north-east respectively and these were highlighted on the visual aids presented. The Planning Statement confirmed that the turbine would be subject to two or more regular maintenance visits per year. The proposed dimensions are the same as those previously approved at Unit 18. The proposal included a small building to house a transformer, associated switchgear and electrical protection equipment and be located close to the base of the turbine tower and connected to the grid connection point via underground cabling. The proposed turbine would supply power directly to the nearby Yuassa Battery (UK) Ltd manufacturing facility.  The Officer added that no details had been provided in relation to the small building with this application, however the layout/design plans would need to be provided to the Planning Department prior to development.

The Officer outlined the internal and external consultation responses as detailed in the report. It was reported that the technical query raised had been addressed by the Agent and the Brecon Beacons National Park had submitted an objection in respect of the cumulative impact on the special qualities of the National Park area.  It was also noted that one objection was received by a member of the public in relation to noise.

A detailed overview was provided of the Planning Assessment and the Officer noted key main points in relation to the following:-

·        Welsh Government’s commitment to Generating Renewable Energy

·        Policy 18 - Pre-Assessed Areas for Wind Energy

·        Policy 17 – Renewable and Low Carbon Energy and Associated Infrastructure

·        Principle if development on a primary employment site

·        Landscape  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

The Service Manager Development and Estates referred to late correspondence related to the application and summarised the information received since the report had been written. The Service Manager noted the response to the correspondence and advised that having viewed the video it was felt that the lorry the driver’s actions were in accordance with the Highways Code. The Service Manager also noted an email sent to all Members of the Committee from Shaws and that a copy of the correspondence from Asbri was appended to the report.

The Service Manager Development and Estates advised that at the February Meeting of the Planning Committee Members considered a report for the development of a new residential facility at Maes Y Dderwen. The development would provide a new 5 bedroom supported living unit and it was reported that the officer recommendation was that planning permission be granted subject to conditions. This was based on the fact that the proposal was for a residential use in a predominantly residential area, that there were no substantive matters raised by consultees that could not be addressed by planning condition and that the facility would make a valuable contribution to meeting the needs of a particular client group. However, following consideration and a lengthy debate the Planning Committee resolved that planning permission be refused.

The Service Manager further spoke to the report and outlined the key points to be considered when determining the reasons for refusal. The Members of the Planning Committee was reminded that the Council had been the subject to costs in recent times for refusing planning permission where the Planning Committee had been unable to defend the decision made. These significant costs for appeals had increased and there was no budget to meet this additional expenditure.

The Service Manager referred Members to the reasons for refusal and invited them to endorse, add/amend or withdraw the reasons for refusal accordingly.

The refusals raised at the last meeting as well as officer comments were outlined as follows:-

Reason for Refusal 1

The proposed development would give rise to major highway concern as it would generate additional demand for parking spaces for which there was insufficient capacity within the site and surrounding area. This would lead to on street parking associated with the development to the detriment of highway safety.

Officer Comment

Highway matters are a material planning consideration. However, in this case the Highway Authority have confirmed that subject to the 3 new spaces being constructed prior the occupation of the building, they have no objection to the scheme. The development complies with our parking guidelines.

There was therefore no evidence to suggest that the car generating aspects of the proposal cannot be accommodated within the site.

Reason for Refusal 2

The site was not suitable for a home for vulnerable clients with support needs as the site was adjacent to a public house.

Officer Comment

Evidence was required to explain why  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider report of the  Service Manager Development & Estates

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

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

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.