62 one-bedroom apartments at Sunnyside House, Sunnyside Road, Bridgend

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing Sunnyside House and building 62 one-bedroom apartments with drainage, landscaping, cycle parking and car parking.

“PROPOSAL: Demolition of Sunnyside House; proposed development of 62no. one- bedroom apartments and associated works including sustainable drainage, landscaping, cycle and car parking and other works…”

“DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The planning Application seeks consent for the proposed demolition of Sunnyside House (the former Water Board and BCBC IT Block) and the construction of a five-storey apartment block (with a projecting lift and stair core) for a total of 62 one-bedroom units and associated works including sustainable drainage, landscaping, cycle and car parking and other works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a flat, triangular plot in Bridgend beside the fire station, housing, leisure centre and a recently consented neighbouring development.

“Sunnyside House is located on the western side of the A473 adjacent to the Fire Station to the east and residential properties to the north (Sunnyside Road). To the south of Sunnyside House is the Halo Leisure Centre and to the west (across Sunnyside Road) is a new development of 59 dwellings, a wellness/healthcare centre and associated works (App. No. P/18/983/FUL refers).”

“The site currently comprises a large two-storey flat roofed building situated towards the centre of the site. The broadly triangular plot covers an area of approximately 0.39Ha and is relatively flat.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered electric vehicle charging, an access-road extension, a roof-edge guardrail, portable offices and a nearby development of homes and a healthcare centre.

“P/20/784/FUL Extension of internal access road and provision of electric vehicle charging points – Conditional Consent 25/01/2021”

“Other Relevant Planning History P/18/983/FUL - Development of 59 dwellings, healthcare centre and associated works inc. access, landscaping and car parking – Conditional Consent 24/03/2020”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Most professional consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while Natural Resources Wales identified incomplete compliance with flood guidance for the authority to consider.

“Highway Authority – No objection to the Application subject to conditions.”

“Natural Resources Wales – The Flood Consequences Assessment (FCA) has been revised to reflect the updated modelling and to address the concerns we previously raised. The FCA has reported compliance, for the Application site, with the flood free threshold required in Table A1.14 and partial compliance with the indicative guidance in Table A1.15.”

Officer report

Objections and support

Objections concerned parking, flooding, privacy, scale, density, trees, drainage, traffic, wildlife and anti-social behaviour; two letters supported the scheme.

“Parking Deficiency, Flooding, Overlooking/Loss of Privacy, Loss of Light or Overshadowing, Layout and Building Density, Perceived Fear of Anti-Social Behaviour.”

“Overlooking and loss of privacy • Scale, dominance, street scene and loss of daylight/overshadowing • Lack of communication • Setting of a precedent • Increased risk of flooding • Layout and density • Traffic and Parking Issues • Effect on Trees and Wildlife/Nature Conservation • Air Quality and Pollution Concerns • Inconsistency with BCBC SPG17 Parking Standards policy and guidelines • Anti-social Behaviour concerns • Devaluation of properties • Misguided Assumptions…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillors S. Bletsoe and T. Wood objected and wished to speak at committee.

The decision

The committee granted the application subject to the officer-report conditions, including changes on the amendment sheet.

“Demolition of Sunnyside House; proposed development of 62no. one bedroom apartments and associated works including sustainable drainage, landscaping, cycle and car parking and other works Sunnyside House, Sunnyside Road, Bridgend, CF31 4AF”

“RESOLVED: That the above application be granted subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, including changes on the amendment sheet.”

Minutes