Aviary height increase at Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwyn Bay, Conwy

“The aviary is located close to the centre of the complex of zoo buildings, to the north of the main car park. It is surrounded by landscaped gardens and mature deciduous and coniferous trees, including a row of pine trees to the south.”

“Most of the zoo grounds are within the Flagstaff Historic Park and Garden which is registered for the partial survival of formal and informal gardens laid out by Thomas Hayton Mawson. The zoo grounds are also subject to a Woodland Tree Preservation Order, which was confirmed in 1951, and form part of the green wedge designation which separates Colwyn Bay and Mochdre.”

“0/41622 – Certificate of lawful development for the existing use of the land as a zoo; issued 12 th May 2015. 0/52878 – Construction of increased height of existing lower section to east and west of centre arched section to existing aviary; withdrawn pending the submission of a Tree Condition Survey.”

“The proposed development is located within a designated green wedge. The proposal would not constitute a new building, and is not therefore subject to the paragraph 3.75 of PPW, which considers that the construction of new buildings in a green belt or green wedge is inappropriate development unless it is for a limited range of specific purposes.”

“Paragraph 3.78 advises that “Other forms of development would be inappropriate development unless they maintain the openness of the green belt or green wedge and do not conflict with the purposes of the designation”. The proposal would not increase the footprint of the aviary, and the visual impacts would be localised to areas of the zoo which are already developed. The proposal would not therefore have a harmful impact on the openness of the green wedge.”

“The application has been publicised by site notice. To date, no representations have been received.”

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