To receive apologies for absence (to include reasons, where appropriate) from Members/Officers.

Apologies for absence were received from the following Members:

Councillor H M Williams                                                        

Councillor B Jones

Councillor M Winter

To confirm a date of Wednesday, 20 August 2014 (am) for proposed site inspections (if any) arising at the meeting, or identified in advance of the next Committee by the Chairperson.

RESOLVED:            That the date for site inspections (if any) arising from the meeting, or identified in advance of the next meeting of the Committee by the Chairperson, be confirmed as Wednesday, 20 August 2014 (am).

To receive and confirm the minutes of a meeting of the Development Control Committee of 27 June 2014.

RESOLVED:            That the date for site inspections (if any) arising from the meeting, or identified in advance of the next meeting of the Committee by the Chairperson, be confirmed as Wednesday, 20 August 2014 (am).

To advise Members of the names of the public speakers listed to speak at today’s meeting (if any).

The Group Manager Development read out the name of the public speakers to address the following application being considered at the meeting:

To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers including those from Members who are also Town and Community Councillors, in accordance with the provisions of the Members’ Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1^st September 2008. Members having such dual roles should declare a personal interest in respect of their membership of such Town/Community Council and a prejudicial interest if they have taken part in the consideration of an item at that Town/Community Council contained in the following planning applications report.

The following declarations of interest were made:

That the Chairperson accepts the Development Control Committee amendment sheet as a late item, in accordance with Part 4 (Paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules, in order to allow for Committee to consider necessary modifications to the Committee report, so as to take account of late representations and revisions that require to be accommodated.

The Vice- Chairperson announced that she had accepted the Development Control Committee amendment sheet as an urgent item in accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council’s Procedure Rules, in order to allow for the Committee to consider modifications to the Committee report, so as to take account of any late representations and revisions that may require to be accommodated.

RESOLVED:            That the following application be granted:-

Code No.                   Proposal

P/14/344/FUL           Former Church Hall, Church Terrace, Blaengarw - 12 No.Velux windows.

RESOLVED:            That the following planning applications be granted subject to the Conditions contained in the report of the Corporate Director - Communities:-

Code No.                  Proposal

P/13/579/OUT         Land off Waterton Lane, Waterton, Bridgend - 3 No. Detached dwellings.

P/13/740/FUL           2 Well Cottages, Coychurch, Bridgend - Two storey extension to rear.

P/14/263/FUL           Garn Inn, Alma Road, Maesteg - Widen main entrance doorway.

P/14/343/FUL           Former Church Hall, Church Terrace, Blaengarw, Bridgend - Change of use of one room to beauticians.

RESOLVED:      (1)  That the Inspector(s) appointed by the Welsh Ministers to determine the following Appeals has directed they be DISMISSED:-

Code No.                  Subject

A/14/2217504 (1738) Two storey annexe extention to rear : Gadlys Villa, Maesteg Road,  Maesteg. (Appendix A to the report refers)

A/14/2212872 (1736) Two/single storey extensions and change of use from farmhouse to guesthouse : Felindre Mill, Pencoed. (Appendix B to the report refers)

                           (2)  That the Inspector appointed by the Welsh Minister to determine the following Appeal has directed it be ALLOWED, subject to Conditions:-

A/14/2215085 (1735) New detached house and garage : Land adjacent to 3 Mill Lane, Bridgend. (Appendix C to the report refers)  

The Group Manager - Development presented a report confirming that the Welsh Government undertakes a survey of local planning authority Development Control Services on a quarterly basis, to allow them to monitor and analyse the quality and speed of processing planning decisions.

            The purpose of the report he stated, was to provide Members with an update to the Annual Statistical report presented to the Committee early last May, and provide information on Bridgend’s performance in relation to other local planning authorities in Wales.

            The report made for positive reading, in that the statistics at the end of the first quarter of 2014, placed Bridgend joint second in the speed of determining applications at 84% determined within eight weeks.  Merthyr were first on 93% and the Wales average for this quarter was 70%.  Bridgend’s average for 2013/14 was 82% he added.

            The report therefore highlighted that the local planning authority maintained a consistent position as one of the best performing in Wales continuing into the above period.

            RESOLVED:            That the report be noted with pleasure.            

The Group Manager presented a report on up and coming training sessions for Members on topics that come under the purview and remit of the Development Control Committee.

            The items so listed which were going to be scheduled probably for the end of August/ September 2014, were:-

·         Annual Review of planning decisions:-

-       Bridgend and Maesteg Regeneration Projects

·         Life of a planning application.

RESOLVED:           That the report be noted.

The meeting closed at 2.50pm.

To consider any other item(s) of business in respect of which notice has been given in accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting of the opinion should by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.