Storage container business at Bb Autos At Gravells, 6 Banc Pendre, Kidwelly

What was proposed

The application proposed changing a former car sales site into a Class B8 storage business with 41 containers and restricted operating hours.

“The application seeks full planning permission for the change of use of the former car sales site to a small storage container business falling within Use Class B8. The proposed development involves the siting of 41 storage containers, arranged within the confines of the existing site to allow adequate spacing for manoeuvring and access.”

“The existing hardstanding will be retained as the base for the containers. The current boundary treatments along the northern and eastern edges will remain in place, and a two- metre-high closed-board timber acoustic fence will be installed to provide noise attenuation and additional screening. Vehicular access will be taken from the existing access point onto Banc Pendre, and a single parking space will be provided on site to serve operational needs.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The previously developed, hard-surfaced site lies within Kidwelly’s settlement boundary beside commercial premises and residential streets, with an existing road access.

“The application site comprises a previously developed parcel of land situated within the settlement boundary of Kidwelly as defined in the adopted Carmarthenshire County Council Local Development Plan (LDP). The site is positioned adjacent to Murco Petrol Station to the south, with residential development located to the north and fronting Banc Pendre (B4308) to the west.”

“The land was formerly in use as a car sales site and is currently surfaced entirely with hardstanding. It has an irregular shape and is enclosed along its northern and eastern boundaries by fencing, which provides screening from neighbouring residential properties. The immediate surroundings comprise a mix of commercial and residential uses.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier permissions covered repositioning petrol pumps and a forecourt canopy, followed by open vehicle parking and a sales area.

“D5/2592 - Repositioning of Pumps and Erecting Forecourt Canopy - Full Granted - 06/10/1977”

“D5/13232 - Open Vehicle Parking and Sales Area Prior to Erection of Building Already Approved - Full Granted - 22/10/1990”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding the proposal acceptable in principle and compliant with planning policies after considering its design, amenity, biodiversity and highway effects.

“The site currently offers little ecological value, being entirely hardstanding. Nevertheless, opportunities exist to deliver a net gain in biodiversity in accordance with the requirements of Planning Policy Wales and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. A Green Infrastructure Statement has been submitted and demonstrates the installation of bird boxes, which would contribute to delivering a modest biodiversity net gain. Highway Impacts…”

“After careful consideration of the scheme as submitted it is concluded on balance that the proposal is compliant with all the policies of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (2014) and the relevant national policies, the application is recommended for approval…”

Officer report

Objections from residents

Eight objections from seven households concerned visual impact, residential amenity, economic effects and the noise assessment.

“Noise Pollution: The opening and shutting of large steel container doors and the placing of items inside will generate significant and disturbing noise. • Operating Hours: The proposed hours of 8am to 8pm, seven days a week (with a company preference for 24-hour access ), are seen as creating nuisance well outside the hours of existing small businesses. Residents request reduced hours, limiting evenings to 6pm and weekends/bank holidays to 10am–4pm.”

“Increased Noise: The re-orientation of the containers is alleged to have worsened the impact of noise on adjacent properties, creating a "hot spot" right against a back garden wall, thus reducing enjoyment of the space. • Inadequate Shielding: The re-orientation is claimed to not comply with the Noise Control Measures required by the developer's own Noise Impact Assessment, as it fails to provide maximum shielding to noise-sensitive receptors.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent and a senior development management officer responded to the issues raised.

Issues discussed

The objections presented to the committee concerned location, visual impact, noise, lighting, operating hours, supervision and security.

“Representations were received objecting to the application which re-iterated the points detailed within the Head of Planning’s written report and included concerns in relation to:-”

“Inappropriate location. • Negative visual impact on the locality. • Noise and light pollution. • Operating hours and lack of supervision. • Security concerns.”

Minutes