95-home residential scheme at Land At Gellideg Industrial Estate Gellideg Lane, Maesycwmmer

“Development: In July 2009 a Planning Inspector allowed an appeal against this Council's refusal of planning permission for residential development and associated access on land at Gellideg Heights, Maesycwmmer, and granted outline planning permission subject to conditions. Condition 2 of that permission requires approval of Reserved Matters to be made no later than three years from the date of the permission.”

“Location: The application site is located to the east of Maesycwmmer. To the north of the site lies a strip of land previously used for landfill, now restored and re-vegetated with trees and scrub vegetation. The A472 road runs alongside the northern edge of that land. To the east and south lies the Bryn Meadows Golf Club, the boundaries comprising established hedgerows and trees. The western edge of the site is bound by the road and housing known as Gellideg Heights.”

“Site description: The western part of the application site which is within the identified settlement boundary is occupied by three disused industrial/commercial buildings and their curtilage. Access to these buildings is gained directly from Gellideg Lane at a point just north of the access from the lane to Gellideg Heights housing estate. Across the central part of the site the remains of colliery spoil heaps extend from north to south.”

“Transportation Engineering Manager - CCBC - No objection, subject to original conditions being reimposed.”

“Maesycwmmer Community Council - Objection: Concerns relating to traffic, pressure on utilities, school places and local services.”

“Response: 7 letters of objection were received and 2 letters of support.”

“Summary of observations: The objections can be summarised into the following points: The development will increase road congestion. An additional set of traffic lights will worsen standing traffic and tailbacks. Cutting off the existing access to Gellideg Heights will result in further distances to travel and increased risk of accidents. The area has one main culvert which is already prone to flooding, the proposal will worsen that.”

“(i) The determination of the application be DEFERRED to allow the applicant to enter into a Variation of Section 106 Obligation to secure the obligations contained within the Unilateral Undertaking that accompanied the original application and ensure compliance with current policy; and (B) on completion of the S106 Obligation that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report.”

“If the obligation is not completed within three months of the resolution to approve, that the Planning Services Manager be granted delegated powers to refuse the application for failure to comply with Policy CW11 of the Caerphilly County Borough Local Development Plan up to 2021 - Adopted November 2010.”