Children’s home at Land off Harddfan, Bryn, Llanelli

What was proposed

The application proposed a purpose-built children’s home for up to four children, with staff accommodation, parking, landscaping and associated works.

“The development proposes a purpose-built residential care facility providing accommodation for up to four children. The scale and form of the building are domestic in appearance, designed to integrate with the surrounding residential context. Internally, the accommodation would provide bedrooms for residents, shared living and kitchen facilities, and supporting staff accommodation and operational space.”

“Externally, the proposal includes associated infrastructure works comprising access arrangements, parking provision, and landscaped areas. A new 1.8 metre footpath is proposed along the site frontage, with a double boarded timber fence around the boundary, except directly in front of the building. Here a 1.2 metre metal hoop top fence is proposed. Directly to the west of the proposed building, permeable paving is shown to provide three parking spaces.”

Officer report

The site

The site is undeveloped grassed land within Bryn’s development limits and a residential allocation, surrounded by established homes.

“The application site comprises a parcel of greenfield land located off Harddfan within the settlement of Bryn, Llanelli. The site lies within a predominantly residential area characterised by detached and semi-detached dwellings set within established plots. The surrounding area is suburban in nature, with residential properties bounding the site and forming the prevailing character of the locality.”

“The site falls within the defined development limits for Bryn and forms part of an allocation for residential development referenced as site GA2/h48 in the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan 2014.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment considered residential amenity, highways, drainage, nutrient neutrality, biodiversity and ecology, with the proposal found acceptable subject to safeguards.

“In accordance with Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, the Local Planning Authority is required to seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity and promote the resilience of ecosystems. The proposal includes landscaping and planting measures which will provide ecological enhancement at the site, including the introduction of native planting and opportunities for biodiversity features within the development.”

“Subject to the implementation of the proposed mitigation and enhancement measures, secured by condition where necessary, the proposal is considered acceptable in terms of its impact on biodiversity and ecology.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Highways and ecology raised no objections subject to conditions, while Natural Resources Wales initially raised concerns about the site’s catchment.

“Natural Resources Wales – Raises initial concerns regarding the location of the proposal within a Marine Special Area of Conservation catchment. Awaiting further comments.”

“Planning Ecology – No objections to the proposal. Have conducted a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) and concluded the proposed development will not have a significant effect on the Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Burry Inlet Special Protection Area (SPA) and/or Burry Inlet Ramsar Site. Recommends the imposition of planning conditions.”

Officer report

Public concerns

Seventeen representations raised concerns about the area’s character, disturbance, traffic, parking, infrastructure, safety and consultation.

“Seventeen public representations have been received as a result of the consultation process the matters raised are summarised as follows: -”

“Concerns relating to highway safety, including increased traffic generation, staff movements and parking pressures within the surrounding streets.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Development Management Officer presented the application and advised that approval was recommended subject to conditions and further agreement.

Committee consideration

The committee was advised that the application was recommended for approval, subject to conditions and Natural Resources Wales agreeing the Habitats Regulations Assessment terms.

“Following a presentation by the Senior Development Management Officer, the Committee was advised that the Head of Place and Sustainability was recommending that the Committee be minded to approve the application, subject to the conditions, and subject to NRW agreeing with the terms of the Habitats Regulations Assessment, for the reasons detailed within the written report.”

Minutes