Five traveller pitches at Glyn Millwr Stones Houses, Blaina, Abertillery

“Site Address: Land at Glyn Milwr, Stones Houses, Blaina, NP13 3AA Development: The retention of the use of land as an extension to the existing traveller’s site to accommodate five pitches for family members, to construct a communal utility room block, retention of timber fencing, installation of private treatment plant with access and ecological improvements.”

“Site Context The application site lies within the settlement boundary as defined by the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan (LDP). It is located to the north of the existing travellers’ site and is bound by wooded areas. Beyond that, at an elevated level to the northeast, is Blaina Central Park. The western boundary is bound by vacant land (formerly Arosfa Day Centre) and a terrace of residential properties known as Sirhowy Villas.”

“Access to the site is to the south via a track which leads up off High Street to Stone’s Houses. The track also provides access to garages and some rear gardens of Stone’s Houses. The track is not wholly within the ownership of the applicant.”

“Background Members will be aware that planning permission was granted on appeal in 2017 for ‘the retention of material change of use of land to residential travellers site including siting of 3 static caravans, 4 touring caravans, associated hard standing, outbuildings, drainage, access and boundary treatments’. This appeal decision established the lawfulness of the existing site shown coloured in blue in the plan above.”

“An appeal against this Notice was lodged with PEDW (CAS-02445- W7P8Q6). The appeal was lodged on “ground (f)” - that the steps for compliance required by the notice were excessive. This appeal was dismissed on 16 th April 2024 i.e. the Notice was upheld.”

“The existing adopted highway from Filas Sirhywi/Sirhowy Villas and the access track serving the proposed residential site is sub-standard with regards to both highway design and construction and is unacceptable in terms of highway safety and capacity grounds. There are no pedestrian provisions and the access track and existing carriageway varies in width such that two vehicles cannot pass.”

“The objections have been summarised below: - Unacceptable noise impacts from illicit scrap car activities and associated works, dogs barking and loud music. - The scale proposed is unacceptable, the concentration of so many caravans in a small area with all the business activity cannot be considered beneficial to the community. - Highway concerns: the access track is not adequate to take the increased amount of vehicle traffic including heavy vehicle movements.”

“The most recent GTAA acknowledges that there is a need for an additional 8 Gypsy Traveller pitches in the Borough which us unlikely to be met in the short term. Whilst a planning application may be submitted by the Council within the next 12 months to address some/all of the unmet need, there is uncertainty as to timescales and amount of development and as such limited weight should be given to this matter.”

“Upon a vote being taken, it was unanimously…”

“As a Ward Member for the application area, Councillor L. Winnett did not take part in the vote.”