24 social rented homes at Wolfs Castle Inn, Llanishen, Cardiff

The site and surroundings

The roughly triangular site contains the former pub, car park, beer garden and outbuilding, fronts three roads and lies in a mainly residential area.

“The application site comprises a roughly triangular area of land approximately 0.5 hectares in area, currently occupied by the former Wolf’s Castle Inn public house (which closed in 2020), including its main buildings, associated car park, beer garden, and a former outbuilding which was most recently used as a betting office. The detached outbuilding to the northwest is partly constructed from stone, with a more modern extension added.”

“The buildings sit centrally in the site which fronts onto three roads; Wolf’s Castle Avenue, Llangefni Place, and Templeton Avenue. Residential properties are located on the opposite sides of these roads. The site is further characterised by a number of mature trees along its southern and eastern boundaries.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered pub signs, entrance alterations, a shelter and a jumberella, while a timber fence proposal was refused.

“New entrance doors and porch and 8 x no enlarged windows Granted 20/12/2002 04/00607/N 1.5m high timber fence and paving to enclose an area of ground to the front of the Wolf's Castle public house…”

“Refused 11/08/2004 07/00946/E The erection of 1 no. 4x4m jumberella to front of house Granted 04/06/2007 08/02550/E Covered shelter Granted 08/01/2009”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to a section 106 agreement and conditions, concluding that affordable housing benefits outweighed the loss of the locally listed building.

“Officers have, however, regard to the fact that these matters must be weighed against the significant public benefits the proposed development would deliver. Most notably, the scheme would make a substantial contribution to housing supply in the form of affordable housing provision, supporting the strategic objectives for urban regeneration.”

“The building, while included on the Local Heritage List, is considered to have only limited heritage significance due to extensive alterations that have removed most of its original features, leaving only minor elements of evidential and historical value, alongside low quality post-war additions and some communal value from its use as a pub.”

Officer report

Professional advice

Internal and external consultees generally supported the scheme subject to conditions covering highways, ecology, contamination, drainage, noise, landscaping and construction.

“There is no objection to the proposal, subject to planning conditions and clarifications for controls on construction impacts and noise mitigation. Key concerns relate to current demolition details, therefore a comprehensive Demolition and Construction Environmental Management Plan (D/CEMP) covering programme, mitigation measures, traffic, dust, noise, and community liaison, including arrangements with the nearby church to minimise disturbance during sensitive events, is…”

“Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW): Raise no objection following the submission of additional drainage and technical information, confirming sufficient capacity in both the water supply and foul sewer networks. Surface water proposals discharging rates are considered acceptable and unlikely to cause flooding or environmental harm, provided these rates are secured by planning conditions and no surface water connects to combined sewers.”

Officer report

Who spoke

No speakers or speaking roles are stated.

Committee vote

A councillor left the committee during the item because of a prejudicial interest.

“(Cllr Hunt left his seat as a member of the Committee during this item in accordance with his prejudicial interest).”

Minutes