Three-unit commercial building at Building at Plots, 4 Parc Gwynfryn, Crymych

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for a three-unit commercial building, including an indoor golf simulator, children’s play facility and proposed wellness centre.

“The application site is part of the larger Parc Gwynfryn Industrial Estate which is located in countryside approximately 55 metres north-east of the settlement boundary of the service centre of Crymych and allocated as an employment site within the Local Development Plan (Ref. EMP/030/00001) for occupation by Use Class B1 (Business) and B8 (Storage or distribution) uses as defined by The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended).”

“Proposal 4.1 The application seeks part-retrospective planning permission for a commercial building comprising three units on Plot 7B of Parc Gwynfryn. Two of the three units are already occupied and trading: Unit 7B2 operates as an indoor golf simulator known as Tee’in Off (Use Class D2 - Assembly and leisure use); and Unit 7B4 operates as a children’s role-play and indoor play facility known as ‘Byd Bach’ (Use Class D2 - Assembly and leisure use).”

Officer report

Planning history

An earlier application for a new industrial estate with business, storage, distribution and haulage uses was approved in 2008.

“06/0886/PA – Proposed new industrial estate B1, B8 - Storage and Distribution and Haulage Contractors Depot – Approved subject to conditions on 13 August 2008.”

Officer report

Main planning issue

The main issue was whether material considerations justified allowing leisure, community and wellbeing uses on land allocated for business and storage uses.

“The main issues raised by the application are:”

“Employment Allocations, GN. Protection of Employment Sites and Buildings, GN.16 Visitor Attractions and Leisure Facilities, and GN.33 Community Facilities); • Whether there are any material considerations sufficient to outweigh the conflict with policy. Description of site…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and Welsh Water raised no objection subject to conditions, the ecologist supported the proposal subject to conditions, and no third-party representations were received.

“A.2.4 Dwr Cymru Welsh Water No objection subject to condition…”

“A.2.9 Third party representations No representations received…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent addressed the committee and said the applicant had helped establish a successful business estate and welcomed the supportive recommendation.

Members’ debate

Members discussed the site’s sustainable location, community economic benefits and the relationship between existing activity and the approved business and storage allocation.

“Councillor Simon Hancock highlighted the sustainable location and the considerable economic benefit to the community.”

“In response to a question raised by Councillor Alec Cormack regarding the allocation for B1 and B8 use, when there was a lot of retail activity, the Chief Planning Officer explained that retail activity falls within Class A1 however, the vast majority of activity was generally related to trade sales and did not therefore count as retail use.”

Minutes

The vote

The motion was carried by roll-call, with twelve votes in favour, no votes against and no abstentions.

“The vote, undertaken by way of a roll-call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows:”

“There were no votes against and no abstentions.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application subject to the conditions set out in the officer recommendation.

“That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions outlined in Section 1.1 of the report.”

Minutes