Affordable two-bedroom house at Ffordd Haearn Bach, Penygroes

“This is a full application for erecting an affordable dwelling with an access and parking space, together with associated landscaping. The site is located within an agricultural field on the outskirts of the village of Penygroes along a narrow road that turns into a public footpath at the far end. A public footpath runs between the field that is the subject of the application and the last house in the village (Glaslyn).”

“The proposal is for the construction of a single-storey dwelling and provision of a new access from the road and provision of parking spaces within the site. The proposed dwelling measures approximately 13m by 11.5m, and approximately 6m high to the roof ridge and 2.5m to the eaves. It provides two bedrooms. The applicant states that the interior of the house would measure 104 square metres.”

“Description: The application was deferred at the committee on 15/01/2024 in order to receive written evidence of the applicant’s situation with Tai Teg and obtain confirmation that the applicant is eligible for a self-build affordable house. Also, it was an opportunity for the applicant to consider reducing the surface area of the house and the size of the plot.”

“Officers have been striving to move the application forward and despite many assurances from the agent that the application will receive attention, no progress has been made with the application.”

“Transport and access matters 5.11 The proposal includes creating an access to the site off the unclassified road running past the site, thus creating a new access. The Transportation Unit does not have an objection to the proposal in principle, subject to the discussion of details such as the height of a wall and parking spaces / turning area. Such matters could be dealt with by imposing an appropriate condition on any permission.”

“It is not considered that the proposal is likely to adversely affect the amenities of the properties that are located either side of the site in this case. The property is a substantial single-storey dwelling of a contemporary design, located within an agricultural field on the outskirts of the village. There is a row of two-storey houses located on one side of the proposal, and in terms of design, it is considered that it would suit the area and the site.”

“In the context of size – was it really bigger than an affordable house? Local people didn't want to live in boxes! • The site seemed to 'adjoin' the boundary and was close to other houses • Insufficient evidence not to approve In response to a question about a specific reason for the delay, the Planning Manager noted that initial meetings had been held with the agent, but no information had been received despite the promises.”

“The proposal is not appropriate as a logical extension to the settlement because of its location and the current boundaries that separate the settlement from the countryside in this location.”

“The local need for a self-built affordable house has not been proved. The size of the proposed property and curtilage is too large to enable the property to be affordable in the future and comply with the scale of development density.”