Two respite care centres at Land At Penllwyn Lane, Pontllanfraith

What was proposed

The application sought two respite facilities, one for adults and one for children, with gardens, landscaping, parking and boundary treatments.

“Description and Location of Development: Erect 2 No Respite facilities, one adult and one children's centre with associated gardens, landscaping, parking and boundary treatments - Land At Grid Ref 317584 195854, Penllwyn Lane, Pontllanfraith…”

“Development: Full planning permission is sought to erect 2 respite facilities comprising of one adult and one children's centre with associated gardens, landscaping, parking and boundary treatments.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is previously developed land within the former school grounds, surrounded mainly by residential, leisure and community uses.

“Location: The application site is located on land within the curtilage of the Centre for Skills and Learning (the former Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School/Grammar Block site), on the northern side of Penllwyn Lane, and directly below Coed Cae Ddu, Pontllanfraith.”

“Site description: The application site extends to approximately 0.58 hectares and comprises of previously developed land following the demolition of the former Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School. The site currently consists of a mix of semi- improved neutral grassland, areas of dense scrub, scattered broadleaved trees, a woodland treeline along the northern boundary, and patches of bare ground and ephemeral vegetation.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier permissions covered demolition of the school buildings and a food-serving cabin for pupils.

“PLANNING HISTORY 2010 TO PRESENT 17/0840/NOTD - Demolish all school buildings - Prior Approval Not Required 25.10.2017.”

“13/0701/LA - Locate an external insulated cabin to serve food to pupils to include shelter in the form of sails. Granted 23.10.2013.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal met relevant policies, provided needed respite care and avoided unacceptable effects, subject to conditions.

“The scheme has been designed to respond positively to its context and accords with placemaking principles, providing a high quality, accessible and inclusive environment. Matters relating to flood risk, ecology, trees, landscape, residential amenity and highway safety have been fully considered and, subject to the imposition of appropriate planning conditions, the proposal would not give rise to any unacceptable impacts.”

“Having regard to the above, the development complies with the relevant policies of the Local Development Plan and national planning policy. There are no material considerations that would outweigh this policy compliance and, therefore, the application is recommended for approval subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Public representations

The application was advertised through press notices, a site notice and neighbour letters, but no public responses were received.

“Extent of advertisement: The application was advertised in the press, by means of a site notice and neighbour letters.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning case officer presented the application, and the local ward member spoke in support.

The committee vote

Members moved and seconded approval subject to the officer’s conditions, voting unanimously with 16 for, none against and no abstentions.

“Following consideration of the application it was moved and seconded that, subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the recommendation be approved. By way of Microsoft Forms (and in noting there were 16 For, 0 Against and 0 Abstentions) this was unanimously agreed.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to the conditions in the officer’s report, together with advisory notes about ecology, mining, drainage and procedural requirements.

“(i) Subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the application be GRANTED.”

“Any intrusive activities which disturb or enter any coal seams, coal mine workings or coal mine entries (shafts and adits) requires a Mining Remediation Authority Permit. Such activities could include site investigation boreholes, excavations for foundations, piling activities, other ground works and any subsequent treatment of coal mine workings and coal mine entries for ground stability purposes.”

Minutes