163 homes and open space at Virginia Park Golf Course Virginia Park, Caerphilly

What was proposed

The application sought reserved matters approval for 163 homes, open space, play facilities, roads, paths, drainage and associated works in phase two.

“Description and Location of Development: Seek approval of the reserved matters in respect of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of planning consent 17/0804/OUT (Erect up to 350 homes, public open space, a local centre and community building, new vehicular, cycle and pedestrian accesses, associated engineering works and seek approval of access) to erect 163 no.”

“Development: Seek approval of the reserved matters in respect of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of planning consent 17/0804/OUT (Erect up to 350 homes, public open space, a local centre and community building, new vehicular, cycle and pedestrian accesses, associated engineering works and seek approval of access) to erect 163 no.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The phase two site lies near the leisure centre on a former municipal rubbish tip and golf course, surrounded mainly by residential areas.

“Site description: The site was previously a municipal rubbish tip which was closed in 1963 and was most recently used as a golf course and a driving range covering an area of approximately 16.94 hectares. A former golf club (now a youth centre) and car park are located in the southern area of the site and to the west of the leisure centre.”

“A mix of mature woodland and scrub line the boundaries of the site except where the Caerphilly Leisure Centre and Rugby Club are located to the west. A Public Right of Way runs along the northern boundary. The site benefits from views south to Caerphilly Castle and north to the Ridgeway.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Outline permission allowed up to 350 homes and related facilities, while phase one was approved and the access and remediation works were underway.

“The access to the site off Heol Bro Wen was also approved at that stage and that access is currently under construction together with the remediation of the whole of the site following the grant of outline planning permission.”

“A reserved matters permission for phase 1 was previously obtained under permission 21/0477/RM and this layout connects to the previously approved phase 1.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the appearance, landscaping, layout, scale, transport connections, amenity, leisure and affordable housing provision acceptable, subject to conditions.

“- Housing Density, Amenity and Appearance Overall housing numbers and density were considered at outline stage and the reserved matters application accords with the limits. The layout is considered to provide sufficient amenity space to individual dwellings and public open space and play provision is incorporated into the layout. The dwelling designs are considered acceptable in their appearance and materials will be agreed under a planning condition.”

“- Housing mix and affordable housing The level of affordable housing was agreed at outline stage and the housing mix and affordable housing provision are consistent with the outline permission and legal agreement. The distribution of affordable housing through the site is considered acceptable noting it forms part of a wider development together with phase 1.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Transportation raised no objection subject to conditions, Natural Resources Wales and CADW had no objections, and Welsh Water objected over a public sewer.

“Transportation Engineering Manager - CCBC - No objections subject to conditions to address detailed highway considerations.”

“Dwr Cymru - Raise objection due to the presence of a 150mm public foul sewer (and its related 3m easement) which the development would appear to impact upon. Advise it may be possible to divert the public sewer under Section 185 of the Water Industry Act 1991.”

Officer report

What residents raised

Five responses concerned trees, parking, walking and cycling links, drainage, housing, solar panels, construction effects, refuse collection and other issues.

“Response: 5 responses have been received.”

“Summary of observations: - Impact of Tree Removal - Parking - Pedestrian and Cycle Paths not segregated - Pedestrian Cycle link to Beech Grove - Link to Hazel Grove - State of roads on surrounding streets due to utilities work - Position of Attenuation Pond and Drainage Specifications - Surface Water Quality leaving site - Housing Density, Amenity and Appearance - Housing mix and affordable housing - Lack of solar panels - Refuse collection and deliveries - Noise and…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning case officer presented the application, and the agent spoke in support.

The committee vote

Members unanimously supported approval, with 14 votes for, no votes against and no abstentions, subject to amendments.

“Following consideration of the application it was moved and seconded that, subject to an amendment to omit access from the development description and amend condition (1) and the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the recommendation be approved. By way of Microsoft Forms (and in noting there were 14 For, 0 Against and 0 Abstentions) this was unanimously agreed.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted with the development description amended to omit access and condition one amended, alongside the report’s conditions and advisory notes.

“(i) Subject to amended development description and condition (1) and the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the application be GRANTED.”

Minutes