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

What was proposed

The application sought approval for 174 homes, open space, roads, footpaths and associated works in phase one, with several conditions discharged.

“Description and Location of Development: Seek approval of the reserved matters in respect of access, layout, scale, appearance and landscaping of planning consent 24/0393/NCC (Vary condition 3 (Out - time to submit reserved matters) 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 extend the time limit for…”

“Outline planning consent was granted under application reference number 17/0804/OUT for the development of the whole site for up to 350 homes, public open space, a local centre and community building, new vehicular, cycle and pedestrian accesses and associated engineering works. There was a subsequent variation of condition application granted permission (24/0393/NCC) to provide additional time to submit reserved matters applications on the site.”

Officer report

The site

The site is north of Caerphilly town centre, beside the leisure centre, and was formerly a rubbish tip, golf course and driving range.

“Location: The application site is located approximately 1km to the north of Caerphilly Town Centre and to the south and east of Caerphilly Leisure Centre.”

“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.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

Outline permission allowed up to 350 homes and related facilities, while a previous phase-one reserved matters permission was granted before the developer changed.

“A reserved matters permission for phase 1 was previously obtained under permission 21/0477/RM however following a change of developer this application has been submitted with a broadly similar layout but alterations of house types/mix and layout to suit the new prospective developers.”

Officer report

Officers’ assessment

Officers considered the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale acceptable and recommended permission be granted.

“Policies: The application has been considered in accordance with national planning policy and guidance, local plan policy and supplementary planning guidance. Outline planning consent has been granted for the development of this site and as such the principle of development has been established.”

“Overall the appearance of the dwellings and of the development as a whole is considered to be in keeping with the character of the predominant housing styles in the surrounding area, with the scale of the dwellings and proposed materials having regard for the diverse character at present. In that regard it is considered that the appearance of the development is acceptable in planning terms and complies with Policy SP6 (Placemaking) of the Local Development Plan.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Transport officers raised no objections subject to conditions, while drainage approval was required and several consultees gave no response.

“Transportation Engineering Manager - CCBC - No objections to the proposed development subject to planning conditions.”

“Mining Remediation Authority - No objection, site is within a low risk area. Dwr Cymru - As previous, principle, we offer no objection to the application for approval of the reserved matters subject to compliance with the requirements of drainage conditions imposed on the outline planning permission, including 'Drainage Strategy' as stipulated in condition 5. We offer no further comments to discharge of conditions 6, 8, 10, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 33, 34 and 35.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support of the application.

The committee vote

Members unanimously supported the recommendation, with 12 votes for, none against and no abstentions.

“Following consideration of the application it was moved and seconded that, subject to a revision to the development description to omit “access” from the list of reserved matters and the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the recommendation be approved. By way of Microsoft Forms (and in noting there were 12 For, 0 Against and 0 Abstentions) this was unanimously agreed.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to removing “access” from the reserved matters description and applying the officer’s conditions.

“(i) Subject to the revision to the development description to omit “access” from the list of reserved matters and the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the application be GRANTED.”

Minutes