Agenda item

To consider a retrospective application for the erection of double garage side extension to dwelling at Tyn Y Ffynnon, Cwm, Rhyl (copy attached).

 

 

A retrospective application was submitted for the erection of a double garage side extension to the dwelling at Tyn Y Ffynnon Cwm Rhyl.

 

Public Speaker – 

 

The Development Manager read out a statement on behalf of the applicants who wished not to attend the meeting – the statement was as follows.

 

“I write in respect of retrospective planning permission application 47/2023/0389 regarding Tyn Y Ffynonn, Cwm -Retrospective application for the erection of double garage side extension to dwelling.

 

We purchased Tyn Y Ffynnon, Cwm, Dyserth in April 2021 and engaged a local builder to complete various work on the property.

 

To the side of the property was a parking area, which was covered in loose slate chippings bordered by a low wall made of rendered concrete block on two sides.

 

Tyn Y Ffynnon was a small Welsh extended cottage built of stone, rendered and painted white. No storage was available at the property for items such as pedal cycles and tools when we purchased. We wished to develop a weatherproof storage area; therefore, we enquired with the Denbighshire CC Planning Office about what permissions were needed and discovered that we needed planning permission for a structure at the side of the house. We engaged a local architect who produced and submitted the plans, with permission being granted on 14 July 2021.

 

The original plan was for a detached wooden structure. When we discussed this with the builder, he advised that a better solution would be to extend the existing house block walls to the necessary height, render and paint these walls white and install a white up-and-over door to the frontage. He stated that to continue with the original plan of building a wooden structure would be less secure, demand more maintenance, be more costly due to the price of wood, and not be as visually attractive as a structure made of white rendered block would blend seamlessly with the rest of the house.

 

The applicant accepted the builder’s advice, concurred with his viewpoint, and asked him to proceed with the build.

 

We did not consider the necessity to apply for a change in planning permission. This was an error on our behalf, for which we offer no excuse and would wish to apologise for our actions sincerely.

 

The current application for retrospective planning permission for this structure was the subject of this letter. I understand that Tremeirchion, Cwm and Waen Community Council have raised the following objection to this application: “Objection on flat roof as building within the area of AONB and appears unsympathetic with rest of the building.”

Firstly, I would say that the building has been constructed in a manner that was the same as the frontage of the house, with a painted render to ensure a matching finish.

 

To my mind (although biased), the structure erected appears to blend seamlessly with the house. The roof slopes toward the back and thus cannot be seen from the road.

 

I note the response from Dave Williams for the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB Joint Committee was "Despite the poor design of the garage extension, which sits awkwardly on the side of the existing dwelling, provided materials match the existing the impact upon the wider AONB was not considered to be significant. Given the appearance and size of the garage concerning the dwelling, it was recommended a condition be imposed to prevent any commercial use at the premises and that it remains ancillary to the main dwelling. The Joint committee raised no objections."

 

I would respectfully say that this response from the AONB authority, the impact upon the wider AONB was not considered significant, was far more significant than the comments from the Community Council. The recommended condition re no commercial use was perfectly acceptable, and I would have no objection to such a condition.

 

We would respectfully ask that this application be passed and once again apologise for our failure to comply with planning regulations.

 

General Debate – 

 

Councillor Merfyn Parry stated that the applicant knew they had made errors with the application and apologised for those errors, seeing that the AONB raised no concern with the application.

 

Proposal – Councillor Merfyn Parry proposed the retrospective application be granted in accordance with officer recommendation, seconded by Councillor Alan James.

 

Some of the planning members supported the application, stating that the AONB had no issue with the development and they felt it was acceptable to approve. Whilst some members had also stated that they pass the area often and had not realised that the development had taken place at all, that the visual impact was minimal.

 

Whilst some members supported the application, others felt that the development was not in keeping with the rest of the house unlike the original detached wooden storage structure, which was previously granted approval.

 

VOTE –

For – 11

Against – 3

Abstain – 0

 

RESOLVED that the planning application be GRANTED in accordance with officer recommendation.