Agenda item

To consider an application for erection of 41 affordable dwellings and associated works at former Plas Deva Caravan Park, Ffordd Talargoch, Meliden, Prestatyn (copy attached).

An application was submitted for erection of 41 affordable dwellings and associated works at former Plas Deva Caravan Park, Ffordd Talargoch, Meliden, Prestatyn.

Public Speaker –

Stuart Andrews (McBryde Homes) (For) – detailed the proposed development of affordable housing on the site including the mix of dwelling types which would address identified social housing need in the area; the development met all Welsh Government requirements (being largely funded by Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant Fund) and satisfied all planning constraints on the site.

General Debate – Councillor Peter Evans (Local Member) highlighted the positive aspects of the development which made good use of a brownfield site and helped take the pressure off greenfield developments.  It would provide a good mix of dwellings to meet local housing needs, provide opportunities for those who could only afford rented accommodation, and would also help to sustain local businesses.  The proposal adhered to the Local Development Plan (LDP) and Corporate Plan.  Councillor Evans thought it regrettable that Talargoch Villa could not be retained but retaining the stone boundary wall and provision of a plaque would help preserve the character of the village.  His main concern related to traffic generated onto the A541 given the existing congestion at peak times due to the flow of traffic in and out of Prestatyn which would only get worse.  He suggested there may be merit in looking at other alternatives such as improving the A548 towards Rhyl and then over to Bryn Cwnin in Rhuddlan.

Councillor Tony Thomas spoke in favour of the application advising that the development would help meet local housing need identified in the area and would provide almost 10% towards the Council’s Corporate Plan commitment to deliver 430 affordable homes.

The Senior Engineer – Development Control explained that the site had lapsed outline planning permission dating back to 2007 and 2011 relating to residential development and had also been allocated for housing in the LDP.  In response to concerns regarding the traffic impact and capacity of the highway network he advised that the applicant had commissioned a cumulative impact assessment of all potential developments that would have an impact on the A547.  The report concluded that the highway network should operate within capacity with all the proposed development sites, both committed and current applications.  The visibility stands at the access met the standards within TAN18 and the parking standards met the Council’s Supplementary Planning Guidance.  Taking all relevant issues into account it was suggested there was no reason to refuse the application on highway grounds.

The Principal Planning Officer (SS) also responded to further questions raised by Councillor Mark Young as follows –

·         with regard to Talargoch Villa the building was not listed and was not situated in a conservation area and given that there was no protection afforded to the building there was no requirement to submit a heritage impact statement as part of the planning application process [Councillor Mark Young advised that previous applications without listed building status had provided heritage assessments and highlighted the need for consistency in that regard]

·         in terms of affordable housing the criteria was based on local income and a local lettings policy would be prepared in consultation with the local member

·         assurances were provided that in terms of the detail of the affordable housing scheme the dwellings had to remain affordable for perpetuity a restriction which was part of the conditions attached to the grant funding provided for the scheme.

Proposal – Councillor Tony Thomas proposed the officer recommendation to grant the application, seconded by Councillor Bob Murray.

VOTE:

GRANT – 14

REFUSE – 0

ABSTAIN – 0

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