The Group Manager Development reported that the Development Control Committee at its meeting on 26 June 2014 had considered planning application P/13/938/FUL as a departure from the Development Plan.  The Development Control Committee resolved not to refuse permission and the application had been referred to Council requesting the grant of planning permission subject to conditions.

            The Group Manager Development reported that the application is to include a parcel of land to the rear of 29-34 Cwrt Pant yr Awel, within the curtilage of 30 Cwrt Pant yr Awel, Blackmill Road, Lewistown.  He stated that the parcel of land which was the subject of the application had been cleared and now included a gravelled area with a small domestic shed, greenhouse and a number of flower beds.  The majority of the land subject to the application was located within the designated settlement boundary and defined by Policy PLA1 of the adopted Bridgend Local Development Plan and was therefore acceptable in principle.  However, some of the land (the extended garden curtilage directly behind 30 Cwrt

Pant yr Awel) extended marginally beyond the settlement boundary.  Accordingly the application had been advertised as being out of accord with the Local Development Plan.  The existing shed and greenhouse was screened by the boundary fencing of the adjacent neighbouring properties, however they were partially visible from the adjacent community route and subject to conditions.  It was considered that the development did not have such a significant impact on the visual or residential amenities of the area as to warrant a refusal.

The Group Manager Development reported that this retrospective application was recommended for approval because the development complies with Council policy and did not adversely affect privacy or visual amenities nor so significantly harms neighbours’ amenities as to warrant refusal. 

A Member of the Council requested that plans be displayed at future meetings of the Council when it considers departure applications.

RESOLVED:         That Council approve planning application P/13/938/FUL subject to the following conditions:-

                        (1)   Within 1 month of the date of this consent full details of a landscaping scheme/landscape maintenance plan along the rear boundary of the site shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The agreed landscaping works shall be carried out within the next planting season (November 2014 - March 2015) in accordance with the agreed schedule.

                               Reason: To maintain and improve the appearance of the area in the interests of visual amenity, and to promote nature conservation.

(2)   If within a period of three years from the date of the planting of any tree that tree or any tree planted in replacement for it, is removed, uprooted or destroyed or dies, or becomes, in the opinion of the local planning authority, seriously damaged or defective another tree of the same species and size as that originally planted shall be planted at the same place, unless the local planning authority gives its written consent to any variation.

Reason: To maintain and improve the appearance of the area in the interests of visual amenity, and to promote nature conservation.

                                                                  (3)   Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2013 (or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification), no further development which would be permitted under Article 3 and Class E of Part 1 to Schedule 2 of the Order shall be carried out within the curtilage of the revised curtilage of the dwelling, known as 30 Cwrt Pant yr Awel, without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

                               Reason: In the interests of visual and residential amenities.

                               (Councillor N Clarke requested it be noted that she had voted against the proposal).