Supermarket and car park at Stagecoach Unit 4 Block A Penmaen Industrial Estate, Pontllanfraith

“Description and Location of Development: Demolish existing bus depot building, regrading of site and erect a Class A1 retail foodstore with surface level car parking, landscaping, and all associated drainage and engineering operations and service connections - Stagecoach Unit 4, Block A, Penmaen, Industrial Estate, Pontllanfraith…”

“Development: Demolish existing bus depot building, regrading of site and erection of a Class A1 retail foodstore with surface level car parking, landscaping, and all associated drainage and engineering operations and service connections.”

“Location: Stagecoach, Unit 4, Block A, Penmaen Industrial Estate, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, NP12 2DY.”

“Site description: The site comprises of the former bus depot on the Penmaen Industrial Estate, Pontllanfraith. The site borders the south of the B4254 Road. To the east is Penmaen Road, to the south-east corner are residential properties on Penmaen Road, to the south and west are other parts of the Penmaen Industrial Estate including a Council depot. To the north on the opposite side of the B4254 Road are residential properties (Pleasant Close).”

“PLANNING HISTORY 2010 TO PRESENT10/0323/FULL- Erect chassis wash bay, bus wash and fuelling bay with ancillary accommodation and the provision of a designated parking area with pedestrian route to serve employees of and visitors to the adjoining Highways House – Granted 26.10.2010.”

“The scheme submitted in this application proposes an store of 1969sqm in gross internal floorspace, and 1347m² in net retail sales area. In the context of the above policy requirements and whilst the proposal is below the 2,500m² threshold set out in national policy for requiring a retail impact assessment, the applicant has submitted retail and sequential assessments in order to demonstrate local need and suitability of the site within the context of the sequential…”

“There are examples given in the supporting text to the Policy for criterion iv (acceptable commercial services) however these do not include food stores. The applicant has highlighted that more recent national policy (Future Wales) supports the "foundational economy" which includes retail uses.”

“Transportation Engineering Manager - CCBC - No objection. Provides advice to the developer in respect of the main road.”

“Estates Manager - Property Division - Object to the application on the basis of a claim in relation to Council use of parking spaces within the application site.”

“Response: One public representation has been received, one representation from a Council staff member from the adjacent depot and one objection from a commercial business.”

“Summary of observations: - Concern in relation to pedestrian movements. - Highway safety and parking concerns. - Impact during construction on residents. - Contrary to LDP policies and the employment site designation. - Number of other supermarkets in the area. - Loss of parking to adjacent Council depot.”

“Additional Condition (19) Prior to the first opening of the foodstore to the public for trading the proposed southern boundary treatment (including the area adjacent to 51 Penmaen Road) along with the proposed delivery area (incorporating the level dock as detailed in section 5.1.2 of the Inacoustic Noise Assessment dated 13th June 2025) shown on plan referenced P407 14 For 0 Against 0 Abstentions…”

“Additional Condition (20) Prior to first opening of the foodstore to the public for trading, the areas indicated for the parking and turning of vehicles shall be laid out in accordance with the submitted plans and those areas shall not thereafter be used for any purpose other than the parking and turning of vehicles. REASON: In the interest of highway safety in accordance with policy CW3 of the adopted Caerphilly County Borough Local Development Plan up to 2021.”

“It was moved and seconded that, subject to an amendment to conditions (02), (06) and (07), additional conditions (19), (20), (21) and (22) and the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the recommendation be agreed. By way of Microsoft Forms this was unanimously agreed.”

“RESOLVED that subject to an amendment to conditions (02), (06) and (07), additional conditions (19)…”

“(20), (21) and (22) and the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the application be GRANTED.”