Anti-vandal changing rooms at Park Nursery, Glan Road, Gadlys, Aberdare

What was proposed

The application sought two changing rooms with toilets and showers for an adjacent sports pitch.

“Planning permission is sought for the construction of pre-constructed, anti-vandal changing room units to be used for changing and toilet facilities within the grounds of Park Nursery, Glan Road, Gadlys, Aberdare.”

“APPLICATION NUMBER – 26/0135/GREG REPORT The proposal is intended to provide changing room facilities for an adjacent sports pitch which is associated with Cae Pugh Recreation Grounds. As such, the scale and the layout of the design is such as to meet Football Association of Wales Tier 3 Ground regulations for changing rooms.”

Officer report

The site

The site was partially made ground and scrub within Park Nursery, accessed from a track crossing a public footpath.

“The application site relates to an area of land within Park Nursery that currently comprises partially made ground as well as scrub land located off an access track from the main Alder Drive/Cherry Drive to the west of the site.”

“The proposed site access also crosses Public Right of Way Footpath ABD/19/2.”

Officer report

Planning history

There were no recent or relevant planning applications recorded for the site.

“There are no recent or relevant applications on record with this site.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the proposal would enhance a sporting and community facility without harming residential amenity, privacy or highway safety.

“RECOMMENDATION: GRANT SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS BELOW:”

“REASONS: The proposal would provide an enhanced sporting and community facility within a sustainable location. Furthermore, the development would not be considered to impact upon the amenity and privacy of surrounding properties, nor would it have an adverse impact upon highway safety.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, drainage, public health, environmental, water, ecology and public footpath consultees raised no objection, subject to some conditions.

“Drainage: No objection, subject to conditions.”

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

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Five objections raised concerns about traffic, lighting, antisocial behaviour, wildlife, drainage, consultation, property values, waste and the area’s appearance.

“- Concerns regarding the address of the development. - Concern that the application incorrectly refers to the area of land as waste ground that is not in use. - Concern regarding lighting. - Concern regarding antisocial behaviour. - Concern regarding an increase of traffic to the development and subsequent parking issues. - Concern that the nearby watercourse would be negatively affected by the development. - Concern that neighbours were not consulted.”

“APPLICATION NUMBER – 26/0135/GREG REPORT - Concern that the development would detract from the beauty of the area. - Desire for the facility to be located closer to Park Nursery.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector addressed the committee for five minutes, and the Head of Planning outlined a late objection letter.

Members’ consideration

The Head of Planning presented the application before the committee considered it.

“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

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions covering timing, approved plans, lighting, biodiversity and drainage.

“Notwithstanding the submitted details, prior to the installation of any external lighting at the site, a lighting strategy must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved details shall be implemented and retained and maintained for the designed purpose thereafter.”

“No development shall commence on site until details for the provision of a bird box to be installed within the wider park area has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The bird box shall be installed prior the commencement of the development hereby approved and in accordance with the approved details.”

Officer report