Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from councillors Arwel Roberts and Elfed Williams.

Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any business identified to be considered at this meeting.

No declarations of interest were raised.

Notice of items which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

No items of an urgent nature had been raised with the Chair prior to the commencement of the meeting.

To confirm the accuracy of the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on the 12 February 2025 (copy attached).

The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on the 12 February 2025 were submitted. It was:

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 12 February 2025 be received and approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

To consider a section 73 application to continue the development at Burley Hill Quarry without complying with the time limits imposed by conditions 1, 26 and 30 of a Schedule 14 Environment Act 1995 Review of conditions (ref 21/2002/0009), and to revise the time limits to allow a continuation of extraction for a period of 15 years from the date of determination of the application (copy attached).

A section 73 application was submitted to continue the development at Burley Hill Quarry without complying with the time limits imposed by conditions 1, 26 and 30 of a Schedule 14 Environment Act 1995 Review of conditions (ref 21/2002/0009), and to revise the time limits to allow a continuation of extraction for a period of 15 years from the date of determination of the application.

The Chair invited officers to clarify their recommendation of deferral prior to allowing any discussion on the application. Officers stated that the application was a large and detailed application, which has been ongoing for numerous years. However, some local community councils were unaware of the application being discussed and determined at today’s planning committee (12/03/25); and had not sight of the report or passed any comments on the application, therefore the officers believed a deferral would be fairer on those who had not had sight of the application.

Proposal - Councillor Terry Mendies (Local Member) proposed that the application be deferred and that a site visit be organised prior to the next meeting. Councillor Alan James seconded the proposal and highlighted the cooperation on the suggestion of a site visit.

Vote –

For – 17

Against – 0

Abstain – 0

RESOLVED: that the application be DEFERRED in accordance with Officer recommendation.

To consider an application for the erection of extensions and alterations to existing dwelling including the erection of a replacement detached garage and associated works (copy attached).

An application was submitted for the erection of extensions and alterations to existing dwelling including the erection of a replacement detached garage and associated works at Manninagh, Bodfari, Denbigh.

Public Speaker - Rhys Davies (Agent) – thanked the Committee for being allowed to speak on behalf of the application. The dwelling was currently a single storey, whilst surrounding houses were all two storey; the proposed extension would be set within a woodland setting. The house would have a backdrop of mature trees and hillside behind it, therefore the upward extension would not have a significant visual impact on the surrounding landscape.

The agent drew attention to concerns were remaining by the community council; however, there were no neighbours objecting to the application; and there were no public speakers opposing the application. The applicants had made several concessions since the application was first made; and these plans were rejected by the community council and the AONB Joint Committee, however significant changes have been made and mitigation built into the scheme to lessen the impact on the landscape, and noted the AONB Joint Committee supported the application, subject to conditions.

The agent also outlined that the family live on the site, and the application was required to allow the family to have ample space to stay in the dwelling long term. They’ve already had a programme to enhance by diversity on the site and have a have a proposal ongoing for additional woodland planting including native orchard planting and tree planting, further landscaping and management of that land, and that landscaping can be conditioned within any approval and that the applicant would be happy with that. In closing the agent commended the comprehensive report.

General Discussion –

Councillor Chris Evans (local member) sought the reassurances that the concerns raised by the community council were being addressed, officers clarified that the four points which were raised and within the report were all addressed with conditions and work which was undertaken by the applicant and officers.

Councillor Merfyn Parry outlined that he believed that the application was designed to allow the property to be adequate for a family, as the current dwelling was not suited for one.

Proposal – Councillor Merfyn Parry proposed the application be granted in accordance with officer recommendations, seconded by Councillor Andrea Tomlin.

Concerns were raised with the lack of protection to the trees surrounding the application and the area, and whether there was merit in deferring the discussion to allow protections to be put in place. Officers clarified that there would be methods of control with the proposed landscaping condition as outlined in the report, if permission was granted. However, Officers advised members that with no planning permission in place it was a fact that the trees were not protected and therefore the owner of the property could cut down all the mature trees surrounding the dwelling.

Members were informed that planning permission could not force applicants to install solar panels on the extension; however, they could encourage the applicant to install them.

Vote –

For – 15

Against – 2

Abstain – 0

RESOLVED: that the application be GRANTED in accordance with Officer recommendation.

To consider an application for the change of use of land and existing club building to form glamping site including the siting of 9 glamping pods, relocation of existing access, formation of internal roads and pathways, installation of 2 No. package treatment plants and associated works (approval of conditions) (copy attached)

An application was submitted for the change of use of land and existing club building to form a glamping site including the siting of 9 glamping pods, relocation of existing access, formation of internal roads and pathways, installation of 2 No. package treatment plants and associated works (approval of conditions)

General Debate –

Councillor Chris Evans (local member) – thanked the developer and the owner of the land for the good engagement with him as the local member and the local community regarding the application. Concerns were raised on whether other development were to be carried out on the rugby pitch, whether it would require to be a separate application, regarding the scrubland on the site, and if parking was developed on those areas, and would these be allowed following discussions between the applicant, local members, and officers.

Officers clarified that any deviation from the plan would need to be determined at Committee; however, the nature of the application (ie a full application, a variation or NMA) would depend on the scale of the change. Regarding the scrubland, proposed condition 13 indicates if additional parking was required then a discussion with officers was required as to the layout and provision of the parking area.

Proposal – Councillor Merfyn Parry proposed the application conditions be granted in accordance with officer recommendations, seconded by Councillor Karen Edwards.

Vote –

For – 17

Against – 0

Abstain – 0

RESOLVED: that the application be GRANTED in accordance with Officer

recommendation.

Meeting concluded at 10:05am