Four industrial units at Unit E, St Davids Industrial Estate, Pengam, Blackwood

What was proposed

The application sought to retain a completed extension containing four separate B2 or B8 units, with shared access and 18 parking spaces.

“Development: The application seeks to retain an extension to Unit E of St Davids Industrial Estate, Pengam. The extension is completed and consists of 4no. separate units. The building has a mono-pitch style roof and contains four separate openings. The units would be accessed via the existing access and would share the compound associated with Unit E. The units are intended for a B2 or B8 use.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is an industrial building and associated land at the southwestern edge of an industrial estate, accessed from its main road.

“Site description: The site consists of an industrial building and its associated land, situated at the southwestern edge of the industrial estate. The building is of a typical industrial building style, with a steel frame clad with profiled metal sheeting to the walls and roof and roller shutter doors to the large openings. The site had a separate building to the south of the existing building; however this was demolished due to the poor state or repair.”

Officer report

Consultees and objections

Council consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while three letters objected on issues including noise, encroachment, drainage and nuisance.

“Transportation Engineering Manager - CCBC - No objection, subject to conditions relating to parking.”

“The development has encroached on a footpath. The development has encroached onto a buffer zone between the industrial estate and residential area. The noise level during the day and night is unacceptable. The development has been constructed on CCBC land. Trees have been removed. Rubbish has been buried. There has been no consultation with surrounding residents. No drainage or interceptor installed. Flood risk increased. 10.”

Officer report

Responses to objections

Officers said the development remained within the applicant’s ownership, was 299 square metres, affected no open space, and some concerns were outside planning control.

“The development has encroached onto a buffer zone between the industrial estate and residential area. - The development is entirely within the applicant’s ownership and has not encroached onto neighbouring land. The noise level during the day and night is unacceptable. - The application relates to the retention of 4no. units, none of which are currently used. Any other activity at the site does not form part of the application and cannot be considered.”

“- The application has been advertised in accordance with planning legislation, which requires adjoining properties to be notified via a letter and for the erection of a site notice. No drainage or interceptor installed. Flood risk increased. - Drainage is dealt with by the SAB Department and will not be duplicated through the planning process. The building size is far greater than states, closer to 500sqm. - The proposed building is 299 sqm. 11.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local resident and the local ward member spoke against the application.

The committee vote

Members approved the recommendation by majority, with eight votes for, three against and two abstentions.

“Following consideration of the application it was moved and seconded that, subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the recommendation be approved. By way of Microsoft Forms and verbal confirmation (and in noting there were 8 For, 3 Against and 2 Abstentions) this was agreed by the majority present.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to the conditions in the officer report and the stated coal mining advisory notes.

“(i) Subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the application be GRANTED.”

“The proposed development lies within a coal mining area which may contain unrecorded coal mining related hazards. If any coal mining feature is encountered during development, this should be reported immediately to the Mining Remediation Authority on 0345 762 6846 or if a hazard is encountered on site call the emergency line 0800 288 4242.”

Minutes