Agenda item

To consider an application for extensions and alterations to existing dwelling (amended scheme) at Glanrafon, Brookhouse Road, Denbigh (copy attached).

An application was submitted for the Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling (amended scheme) at Glanrafon Brookhouse Road Denbigh.

Public Speakers –

Rhys Davies (For) -

Both myself and my wife were raised locally near Denbigh, following a period of living away, we moved back to the area. We are since working at Glan Clwyd Hospital and out children Eben and Mared attend Ysgol Twm o’r Nant.

We purchased Glanrafon in February 2019 which had been vacant for several years due to the extensive structural repairs required rendering it at the time inhabitable and un-mortgageable. We were advised by a number of builders to consider demolishing due to the nature of the structural repairs and internal modification required, but were adamant from the start that this was not the path we wished to take. Together with our architect Osian Jones, Ruthin we proceeded with a planning application for a new extension, which would create our family home, and allow a previously empty property be brought back into residential use.

We fell in love with the property and location and strongly believe that to fully respect and give justice to the original house, that the extension should have a distinctly different feel while blending harmoniously into the surroundings. We strongly and passionately believe that using steel cladding instead of render, will achieve this and provide the distinction between old and new. We also included a glass panel separation design between the old and new parts of the building as per Denbighshire’s Residential Development Guidance.

While appreciating that during the time of the original application that this product wasn’t widely known within Denbighshire, further research shows that it is becoming more common with several recent successful planning requests within North Wales as we’ve included in the supplementary information provided.

It is manufactured in Shotton, used in both urban and rural homes, meets building regulation requirements and has several environmental benefits compared to traditional render. As well as high structural performance, steel is fully recyclable and allows the ability to include additional insulation within the wall construction to provide higher thermal performance than K-rend or similar products.

Throughout the project we have always tried to work with local tradesmen, businesses and suppliers to support our local economy and reduce our carbon footprint, and there are professional fitters local to Denbigh who have vast experience in steel cladding residential properties within the area.

Our neighbours have been fully supportive of our design, and we have had no objections following local consultation on each planning application or amendment.

Thank you all for your time in considering our application for Glanrafon, and I hope I’ve been able to demonstrate how the advantages of steel cladding will help achieve our vision for this project.

General debate –

Councillor Mark Young, local member, passed apologies from the other local member Rhys Thomas who could not be in attendance, they had both discussed the application. The application was modern and exciting, and he was supportive of the application, and felt that similar cladding had been used in other areas of North Wales.

Proposal – Councillor Mark Young proposed the application be granted contrary to officer recommendations as the application would not impact on the character and appearance of the original dwelling and did not pose an issue for the neighbours, as no concerns had been raised. Seconded by Councillor Merfyn Parry.

Members queried with officers when Planning Policy RD3 was written, as the application was using local and recyclable materials, it was suggested that new ideas were needed.

Officers clarified that the policy was adopted alongside the current LDP in June 2013, members were reminded that the current LDP was being worked upon and if they required certain policies to be amended this should be done through the SPG meetings.

Vote –

Grant – 16

Abstain – 1

Refuse - 0

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