Balcony and garage at Ty Hen Efail, Llanddona

What was proposed

The application proposed a first-floor balcony on the dwelling and a new garage beside the existing access.

“Description: Full application for the erection of a balcony, together with the erection of a garage at…”

Officer report

The site

The site contains a detached two-storey dwelling outside Llanddona’s development boundary and near an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“The existing dwelling is a two-storey detached property located just outside the development boundary of Llanddona, as defined in the Joint Local Development Plan. The site is also located within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

“The proposal consists of erecting a first floor balcony on the Eastern elevation of the existing dwelling, and erecting a new garage at the front Eastern side of the site next to the existing access.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered two dwellings and access works on land opposite Pen Y Bont, including a later discharge of conditions.

“22C231 - Cais amlinellol ar gyfer codi dau annedd yn cynnwys manylion llawn am yr mynedfa i gerbydau ar dir gyferbyn a / Outline application for the erection of two dwellings together with full details of the vehicular access on land opposite Pen Y Bont, Llanddona. Caniatáu / Permit - 14/06/2017.”

“RM/2020/8 - Cais am faterion a gadwyd yn ôl ar gyfer codi dwy annedd ynghyd a creu fynedfa i gerbydau ar dir gyferbyn / Application for reserved matters for the erection of two dwellings together with the construction of a vehicular access on land opposite Pen Y Bont, Llanddona. Caniatáu / Permit - 27/11/2020.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the design, scale, materials, ecology measures and relationship with neighbouring property acceptable under relevant planning policies.

“The siting is considered acceptable given that the proposed development is situated away from the public road. The design and appearance are considered acceptable with high quality materials used, and the balcony would be small in scale and subservient to the existing dwelling. The proposed garage conforms to the site and its built surroundings, and the design encourages use of materials that compliments the existing dwelling and surrounding area.”

Officer report

Consultees and public comments

Highways and ecology raised no objections, Welsh Water requested a drainage condition, while the community council and public raised privacy and other concerns.

“Consultee Response Priffyrdd a Trafnidiaeth / Highways and Transportation No objections. Ymgynghorydd Ecolegol ac Amgylcheddol / Ecological and Environmental Advisor No objections. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water No objections - condition requested stating no surface water shall be allowed to drain directly or indirectly into the public sewerage system.”

“The objections were all similar in relation to what concerned the local people of Llanddona. Below, all the concerns raised from the letter and web comments have been split into three main categories:”

Officer report

Neighbour’s objection

A neighbour said the balcony would overlook living areas, a bedroom and garden, and that the hedge would not prevent views from the elevated balcony.

“[name withheld], objecting to the proposal, said that she and her husband live at Crosswinds, Llanddona directly opposite Ty Hen Efail. The site plan in the Planning Officer’s report and the Location Plan 19092025 show the orientation of Ty Hen Efail. The proposed balcony will be on the southern elevation, not the eastern elevation as stated in the planning officer’s report.”

“There is a seven- foot-high hedge along part of our boundary; however, the upper windows of Ty Hen Efail are clearly visible even over this hedge and allow a view directly into our living room and bedroom. This cannot be considered as “effective screening” since the balcony would look over the top of the hedge, and there is a wide gap in the hedge to allow vehicle access from the road.”

Minutes

Who spoke

A local member requested a site visit, an objecting neighbour addressed the committee, and the planning manager explained the proposal and distances.

Committee discussion

Members debated whether images were sufficient or whether a site visit was needed, then proposed approval under the relevant policies.

“Councillor Euryn Morris said that whilst the stipulated distance is double from the neighbouring property he considered that it would be better to view the images as suggested by the Officer rather than conducting a site visit. Councillor Morris proposed not to conduct a site visit. Councillor Glyn Haynes seconded the proposal.”

“Councillor Carwyn Jones, a Local Member said that he was disappointed that the request of two Local Members for a site visit to the site had been rejected. The request for a site visit was based on local knowledge and the location of the site. He said that the Committee would have had an opportunity to view the site before considering the application.”

Minutes

The vote

The chair used a casting vote against conducting a site visit after the committee vote was tied.

“Following the vote, of 4 in favour of conducting a site visit and 4 against, the casting vote of the Chair was not to conduct a site visit.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application in accordance with the officer recommendation and the conditions in the report.

“Councillor Euryn Morris proposed that the application be approved in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation. Councillor Geraint Bebb seconded the proposal of approval.”

“It was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the planning conditions contained within the report.”

Minutes