Cat rescue centre at Caerphilly Garden Centre, Nantgarw, Taff's Well

The site

The centre would occupy 1,462 square metres of hardstanding in the garden centre’s overflow car park, accessed from Old Nantgarw Road.

“The proposed application site is situated between the Old Nantgarw Road and the A468 on the outskirts of Caerphilly with the application site being located approximately 100m from the border between the Rhondda Cynon Taf Local County Borough Council Local Authority Area and the Caerphilly County Borough Council Local Authority Area. The site measures 1462sqm in area and is located within the overflow car park of Caerphilly Garden Centre.”

“The site largely consists of an area of hardstanding which is used for car parking.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal compatible with surrounding commercial and industrial uses and acceptable in its effects on biodiversity, appearance, neighbours and privacy.

“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 impact on local biodiversity, visual impact and the impact it has upon the amenity and privacy of the neighbouring residential properties. It is also considered that the proposed use is compatible with the surrounding commercial and industrial uses present within the wider site.”

Officer report

Access and parking

Four spaces were considered sufficient because the overflow car park was underused, visitor numbers would be controlled and vehicle movements would be limited.

“Vehicle parking space is identified within the site for four vehicles, for two staff and two visitor spaces which is the anticipated typical demand at any one time. The defined area is sufficient to accommodate one space to accessible requirements. Spaces are not dedicated to the development and are not delineated, instead being part of the large overflow car park of the Garden Centre.”

“As such, based on the above, response for the permission referred to by the objector, it is not considered likely that the loss of spaces associated with the proposed building footprint would result in any significant parking issues.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, drainage, public health, ecology, NRW, Welsh Water, the Coal Authority, Welsh Government Highways and others raised no objection, subject to some conditions.

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

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

Officer report

Neighbour concerns

One objection raised concerns about staff cover, disabled parking, reduced wider-site parking and aircraft-engine testing affecting the cats.

“Lack of staff provision to ensure the welfare of the cats. • Lack of normal quality disabled parking. • Potential for parking to be reduced for the wider site and the lack of consideration given to development coming forward in the baseline. • Concern that the nearby testing of aircraft engines in the nearby factory would result in detrimental effects on the welfare of the cats.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Head of Major Development and Investment presented the application to the committee.

The committee vote

The committee resolved to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation of the Director of Housing and Regeneration.

“The Head of Major Development and Investment 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

The application was approved subject to conditions, with the proposal considered compliant with relevant local development plan policies.

“It is considered the proposal would not have a significant impact on local ecological features, the character and appearance of the locality or upon the residential amenity of the surrounding neighbouring occupiers. It is also considered that proposed use is cohesive with the surrounding commercial and industrial nature of the area. As such, the application is therefore considered to comply with Policies AW2, AW5, AW6 and AW8 of the Local Development Plan.”

Officer report