Agenda and draft minutes

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

Councillor Emrys Wynne declared a prejudicial interest in item 6, Land at (part garden) of 73A Erw Goch, Ruthin as he knows the applicant very well. 

Councillor Tina Jones declared a prejudicial interest in item 8, Denbighshire Local Development Plan 2006-2021 – Annual Monitoring Report 2020 as she owns a piece of land in the Development Plan.

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 urgent matters.

To confirm the accuracy of the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 11 November 2020 (copy attached).

The minutes of the Planning Committee held on 11 November 2020 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2020 be received and confirmed as a correct record.

To consider an application for erection of 63 no. affordable dwellings together with access, open space and associated works (amended scheme) at land at Glasdir, Ruthin (copy attached).

An application was submitted for the erection of 63 no. affordable dwellings together with access, open space and associated works (amended scheme) at land at Glasdir, Ruthin.

Public Speakers –

Matthew Green (against) - My concerns regarding the specific planning application can be summarised as follows:

1 – Similar plans were objected in March of this year (9 to 4) because the proposed layout, character and design of the proposed houses would not be in keeping with the existing developments in the area.

These proposals (though different) are of an equally different nature /characteristic to the properties that have been built on Glasdir (and the rest of Ruthin) and from the basis of  democratic consistency these should be equally declined for planning this time round.

2- Councillors agreed in March 2020 (just six months ago) that the increase in the number of dwellings and people would strain the existing infrastructure in the area. Concerns had been raised about the proposed area of development as it would have an effect on the traffic flow for the area which was already bad at peak times. There were concerns raised with the potential impact on the ecology of the area, and the heightened risk with flooding especially as the area was within the flood risk area. Indeed, one councillor can be quoted stating: “We can no longer hold back the rain or hold back the rivers, or indeed hold back the tide. "We should immediately revise our local development plan and cease building on flood plains,” and the councillor who said this is present.

3 – Why is it the Council would agree to building new properties in Ruthin, when Clwyd Alyn’s site in Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd still has availability? That was a 38 unit site – and yet still has availability.

4 – Can Clwyd Alyn be trusted to build 60 + dwellings when their planning information is littered with errors and misinformation. On CA’s masterplan online it talks of

• Ysgol Glasdir – frankly insulting to Ysgol Pen Barras and Rhos Street School.

• Initial Paperwork stated there were 63 dwellings.

• CAHL planning statement – page 31, point 117 states 65 dwellings.

Though these may be small errors – how can we trust a company to build properties if they cannot get their due diligence correct on their paperwork? I could not allow such a breach of basic trust.

5 – The impact on the Welsh Language. In the Welsh Language Impact Assessment, it says and I quote “the average household size of 2.3 people, the development would have 145 residents” (page 14, point 5.9). Properties that are built for 6 people – WILL have 6 people in it. Each property will be filled to its maxed. The calculation therefore, will be 263 residents.

6 – All of the literature suggests the new residents of this housing estate would be “local” people. However, is it not the truth that these properties will be open to the SARTH register bands 1 -4? SARTH banding 4 is open to anyone – not local to the country nor the county?

7- In all of the literature and asked by me in the preplanning application – there is no information about the types of tenancies the residents of the proposed scheme could have. Will they all be General needs? Supported Living? Leaseholders? IMR? Will the tenancies be assured or fixed term? Will there be introductory tenancies? Will residents have rights to succession? Without this key information how can you expect the residents of Ruthin to agree or disagree.

8  – Much of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider an application for the erection of a detached dwelling, construction of a new vehicular access and associated works at Land at (part garden of) 73A Erw Goch, Ruthin LL15 1RS (copy attached).

At this juncture, Councillor Emrys Wynne declared a prejudicial interest as he was a friend of the applicant, and left the meeting for this item.

Proposal – Councillor Merfyn Parry proposed the application be deferred to enable the applicant to carry out additional work and present the application at a future meeting, seconded by Councillor Ann Davies.

Vote -

For deferment – 17

Against deferment – 0

Abstain – 0

RESOLVED that the application for Land at (Part Garden of) 73A Erw Goch, Ruthin be deferred to a future meeting.

To consider an application for the erection of an agricultural building for the storage of hay and fodder (resubmission) at land adjacent to Rhesgoed Farm, Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Ruthin LL15 1YE (copy attached).

Officers explained the reason the application had been reported to Planning Committee was due to the application being submitted by a County Councillor and receipt of 4 or more objections.

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

Vote -

Grant – 18

Abstain – 0

Refuse – 0

RESOLVED that permission be GRANTED in accordance with officer recommendations as detailed within the report.

To consider a report by the Planning Officer to inform members of the Planning Committee of progress with implementing the adopted Denbighshire Local Development Plan 2006 – 2021 (copy attached).

At this juncture, Councillor Tina Jones declared a prejudicial interest as she owned a piece of land in the Development Plan and left the meeting.

The Planning Officer introduced the Denbighshire Local Development Plan 2006 - 2021: Draft Annual Monitoring Report 2020.

The Council was duty bound to produce an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) for the adopted Denbighshire Local Development Plan (LDP) 2006 – 2021

Acknowledging the difficulties that Local Authorities and communities were facing in the current Covid19 pandemic, the Minister for Housing and Local Government wrote on the 7th of July 2020 that there would not be a requirement for an Annual Monitoring Report to be submitted by October 2020.  Local Authorities were encouraged to continue with data collection as this would help shape and inform policy and plan development.  A copy of the letter had been  included in the appendices.

The report highlighted the progress with implementing the Local Development Plan,which highlighted any challenges within the LDP.

There were three fundamental elements of the adopted LDP which require particular attention when drafting the next LDP:

·         Delivery of market and affordable houses in line with revised Welsh Government Household Projections for the County;

·         Addressing the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Travellers; and

·         Reflecting the results of reviews that were carried out for Minerals and Waste Management provision in North Wales.

RESOLVED – that the planning committee note the content of the Draft Annual

Monitoring report.

The meeting concluded at 11.10 a.m.