Disabled access ramp at Car Park, West Parade, Llandudno

What was proposed

The application sought a galvanised metal disabled access ramp serving the existing NCI Coastwatch station.

“B) To authorise the Development and Building Control Manager to consider any planning matters in the public representation(s) that may be received during the departure application publicity period prior to the determination of the application.”

“The application seeks planning permission for erection of disabled access ramp for the NCI Coastwatch station approved under planning permission 0/52017 (subsequently varied by planning permission 0/52326). The structure will be constructed of galvanised metal. The structure will partly protrude forward of the (west) elevation of the NCI Coastwatch station by 3.2 metres and partly wrap around the north and east elevations of the NCI Coastwatch station.”

Officer report

The site and its constraints

The ramp would be in a council-owned coastal car park outside the settlement boundary, within several landscape, flood and nature designations.

“The application relates to the car park (Council land) on Llandudno West Shore, which is outside the settlement boundary and falls within the designated Great Orme and Creuddyn Peninsular Special Landscape Area, green wedge, and coastal zone in the local plan. The land also falls within the Creuddyn and Conwy Historic Landscape (Cadw), and the Flood Map for Planning (FMfP) Defended Zone and Sea Flood Zone 3.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions approved and later varied the existing moveable NCI Coastwatch station that the ramp would serve.

“0/52326 – Variation of condition nos. 2, 4 and 9 of planning approval 0/52017 (Replacing existing NCI Station (mounted on a trailer) with new larger moveable station (modular portacabin unit) to amend external colour to Sargasso (RAL 5003) Benbo Colour Chart and to include installation of energy generating device or equipment comprising 6 no. solar panels and 1 no. wind turbine: Granted 11/04/2025.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional permission because Coastwatch’s operational benefit would outweigh harm to the open character of the designated areas.

“The proposed disabled access ramp together with the existing isolated NCI Coastwatch Station (portacabin) without any appropriate soft landscaping/screening adjacent to the coastline would form a sporadic development to the detriment of the open character of the designated coastal zone, green wedge and special landscape area in the local plan.”

“However, the benefit of such development to contribute to the effective operation of the coastguard network would constitute an exceptional circumstance that would outweigh the harm the development would cause to the open character of the designated coastal zone, green wedge and special landscape area.”

Officer report

Public representations

The application was publicised as a departure from the local plan, and no public representation was received.

“The application has been publicised via site notice, neighbour notification letters and local newspaper advertisement (for application departs from the local plan). No public representation has been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in favour of the application.

The committee discussion

The manager confirmed that a condition could require the ramp’s removal and land reinstatement when the Coastwatch station was no longer required.

“An addendum to the report was presented by the Planning Officer, highlighting that the planning application had been advertised as a…”

“The Development and Building Control Manager confirmed that a condition could be imposed requiring the permanent cessation of use, removal of the disabled access ramp, and reinstatement of the land within two months of the date the Coastwatch station was no longer required, as recommended by the Planning Officer in the Planning Committee report.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee was minded to grant conditional permission and authorised consideration of later representations and delegated issue of the decision.

“(a) That the Planning Committee be minded to grant conditional planning permission.”

“(c) That the Development and Building Control Manager be authorised to issue a decision under delegation.”

Minutes