Mixed-use neighbourhood at Former Hoovers Site, Pentrebach

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for a new neighbourhood with up to 441 homes, employment land, community facilities, transport infrastructure, open spaces and highway works.

“Demolition, ground reclamation and remediation and outline planning application with all matters reserved (except for the main access points) for the comprehensive redevelopment of the former Hoover site to create a new neighbourhood, including up to 441 new homes, 1.5 hectares of employment land (including B1 (business), B2 (general industrial), B8 (storage and distribution) and sui generis uses), community hub (including A1 (shops), A2 (financial and professional services)…”

“Outline planning permission with some matters reserved is sought for the comprehensive redevelopment of the former Hoover site, to create a new neighbourhood, which would include up to 441 new homes. Provision would be made for 1.5 hectares of employment land (including B1 (business), B2 (general industrial), B8 (storage and distribution) and sui generis uses.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The brownfield site covers about 15.93 hectares and includes the former factory, a former car park and a former pumping station.

“The application site is located within Pentrebach, in the southern part of the main settlement of Merthyr Tydfil approximately 1.3km from the town centre. The site comprises three parcels of land, which overall cover an area of approximately 15.93 hectares and would encompass the Hoover factory site (circa 14.11hectares), being the bulk of the development area, a former car park (circa 1.61 hectares) to the north- east of the Hoover factory and a small area of land (circa…”

“Within the immediate surroundings to the west of the site is the residential area of Abercanaid and a new residential development (Dragon Parc) for 200 houses that is currently under construction. These areas are separated from the Hoover factory site by the River Taff and a railway line which generally run north to south.”

Officer report

Planning history

Historic applications from 1998 to 2003 were minor, with no recent relevant planning history.

“It is acknowledged that there are historic applications relating to the application site that date between 1998 and 2003, all of which are deemed to be minor in nature. As such there is no recent planning history relevant to the consideration and determination of this application.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the strategic regeneration scheme acceptable because it would deliver homes, affordable housing, employment, services, open space and sustainable transport connections.

“Under Policy SW3 of the LDP, which considers the sustainable distribution of new homes across the County Borough, the Hoover Factory Site is allocated for residential development for 440 homes. This is by far the largest housing allocation in the LDP, which would have a significant contribution towards housing provision identified in the plan, amounting to approximately 20% of the housing allocations across the County Borough.”

“The former Hoover factory site and its carpark would evidently have a significant contribution to the provision of housing and make a considerable contribution towards the provision of affordable housing. The development would incorporate a mixture of uses to include employment opportunities in both business and retail uses which would further assist in the regeneration of the area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the application, the applicant described its benefits, and the ward councillor spoke in favour of its economic and regeneration benefits.

Questions from members

Members heard that the metro station was safeguarded rather than proposed, schools were expected to have capacity, and heritage features could be reused or reflected in new buildings.

“The Metro station is not part of the application; however, the land is safeguarded for potential provision by Transport for Wales.”

“The Education department raised no objection to the application and projections show there will be additional capacity within schools in the future. There will also be additional capacity for the Welsh-medium provision as there are plans for an additional Welsh-medium Primary School in the County Borough.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The committee resolved to approve the application subject to the conditions set out in the officer report.

“The application be approved subject to the conditions outlined within the report.”

Minutes