Customer care building at Car Park At Trade Centre Wales Cilfynydd Road, Abercynon

The site and surroundings

The 0.74-hectare site is a hardstanding car park between the A4054 and A470, with homes beyond a private field to the south-west.

“The proposed application site is situated between the A4054 and the A470 on the outskirts of Abercynon. The site measures approximately 0.74 hectares in area and is relatively flat in ground profile. An existing gated access is situated off the A4054 whilst the remainder of the site is enclosed by metal fencing.”

“The site is bound by the A4054 to the south-east and the A470 to the north-west. The slip road between the two extends around the north-eastern boundary of the site. The south- western boundary is adjoined by a private field with a small row of residential properties being located beyond.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Permission was granted in 2018 for a car park ancillary to the showroom, including a new access and floodlighting.

“The most recent or relevant applications on record associated with this site are:”

“16/0994/FUL: Change of use to car park ancillary to Trade Centre Wales showroom site, new access and floodlighting. Decision: Granted, 24/01/2018”

Officer report

The planning recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was considered acceptable in visual, residential amenity and highways terms and would retain local jobs.

“RECOMMENDATION: GRANT SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS BELOW:”

“REASONS: The application is considered to comply with the relevant policies of the Local Development Plan in respect of its visual impact, the impact it has upon the amenity and privacy of the neighbouring residential properties and highways safety. It is also considered that the proposed development would be in keeping with the wider character of the area and neighbouring commercial land uses. Finally, the application would retain existing local jobs.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

The building would be accessible, similar to nearby commercial uses, screened from some views, and unlikely to cause significant noise, overlooking or overbearing effects.

“The proposed development would facilitate a customer care building in association with the existing Trade Centre Wales unit. As such, it is not considered that the proposed use would result in any detrimental impact to the existing commercial uses in the area and would be considered to be of a similar nature to some of the uses in the area with both a vehicle repair shop and Trade Centre Wales being related to vehicle selling and vehicle services respectfully.”

“In regard to residential properties at Cynon Terrace, it is not considered that activities undertaken at the business would differ in nature to other businesses in the area. As such, it is not anticipated that there will be any significant noise impacts. Furthermore, it is noted that none of the Cynon Terrace properties feature windows within their side elevations and that the proposed building would be located over 100m east of the terraces.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, drainage, public health, ecology, Welsh Government Highways and Welsh Water raised no objections, subject to specified conditions where applicable.

“Public Health and Protection: No objection, subject to conditions.”

“Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water: No objection, subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Public representations

Thirteen neighbouring properties were notified and the site was advertised, but no objections or other representations were received.

“The application has been advertised by direct notification to 13 neighbouring properties as well as via a site notice erected at the application site.”

“No letters of objection or representation have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Head of Planning presented the application to the committee.

The committee decision

The committee resolved to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation.

“The Head of Planning presented the application to Committee and following consideration it was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation of the Director, Housing and Regeneration.”

Minutes

Approval conditions

The recommendation included conditions covering approved plans, operating hours, construction arrangements, parking, ecology and tree protection.

“The development shall be carried out in full accordance with the approved documents RTAC Tree Survey as well as the Tree Protection Plan within the submitted RTAC Tree Survey. Protective barriers, as detailed in the approved document shall be laid out according to the approved Tree Protection Plan and…”

“APPLICATION NUMBER – 25/1035/FUL REPORT installed prior to the commencement of any development, including site clearance, and shall be retained and maintained in their approved positions for the duration of the construction works. No works to any trees on or adjacent to the site, other than those expressly approved in RTAC Tree Survey, shall take place without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.”

Officer report