Farm park opening hours at The Meadows Farm Village Retreat The Meadows Gypsy Lane Groeswen Cardiff

What was proposed

The application sought to vary existing conditions so the farm park could operate until 9pm, with café and coffee shop restrictions changed.

“Description and Location of Development: Vary conditions 04 (Cafe and coffee shop use restriction) and 05 (Hours General) of planning consent 24/0557/NCC (Vary Condition 4 & 5 of planning consent 22/0713/RET to amend opening hours) - The Meadows Farm Village Retreat The Meadows Gypsy Lane Groeswen Cardiff…”

“Development: This application seeks the variation of conditions 4 and 5 of planning permission 24/0557/NCC to allow the extension of the operating hours of the farm park until 9pm.”

Officer report

The site

The site is an existing farm park west of Caerphilly, reached by Gypsy Lane, with former agricultural fields, perimeter trees and a central watercourse.

“Location: The site is to the west of Caerphilly and accessed via Gypsy Lane.”

“Site description: The site is an existing farm park. The site is mainly former agricultural fields. There are a number of trees around the perimeter and a watercourse flowing through the centre of the site.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health did not object subject to conditions, while other consultees raised no objections or made no comments; the Local Member supported the proposal.

“Environmental Health Manager - Do not object to the application subject to conditions.”

“Summary of observations: The Local Member advised they were in favour of the proposal.”

Officer report

Noise and local amenity

The main concern was evening noise from activities and departing traffic, particularly because the venue is accessed by a single-track lane.

“The key issue in considering whether this is acceptable is the impact of the additional opening time in the evenings on the amenity of residential properties within the area, particularly due to potential noise disturbance. Potential sources of noise disturbance include both the activities taking place within the site itself and vehicles entering and exiting the site at that time. A noise assessment has been submitted to support the…”

“The Council’s Environmental Health Manager has concerns that as background noise levels reduce in the evenings, the impact of noise from activities including that of traffic leaving the venue will affect nearby residents. This is particularly accentuated by access to the venue being only via a single track lane.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning case officer presented the application to the committee.

Committee discussion

Members considered the application and a motion to approve it subject to the officer’s conditions was moved and seconded.

“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 in noting there were 11 For, 0 Against and 0 Abstentions) this was unanimously agreed.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to the conditions in the officer’s report.

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

Minutes