47 affordable homes at Land Adjacent To Hillcrest And Mitchell Crescent Penydarren Merthyr Tydfil

What was proposed

The application sought 47 homes with landscaping, informal open space, engineering works, parking, footpaths and pedestrian links.

“Full planning permission is sought for the construction of 47 homes, together with informal open spaces and associated landscaping and engineering works. The submitted layout plan illustrates a range of house types would be accommodated with a mixture of areas for informal recreation, shared surfaced areas and a central pedestrian link crossing through the site from west to east connecting Mitchell Cresent to an area of natural landscaping.”

“Each property would incorporate an area of private amenity space generally to the side or rear and some of the properties would also include an area of shared open space to the front. The south-west part of the site would include a larger area of open space which would be landscaped with trees and grassed embankments that reflect the change in levels.”

Officer report

The site

The 1.4-hectare sloping grassland site included scattered trees, vegetation and informal parking, surrounded by existing homes.

“This application relates to an irregular shaped site measuring approximately 1.4 hectare and located in the residential area of Penydarren. The site can be broadly characterised as an area of grassland with scattered trees and vegetation, that generally slopes down (steeply in places) from west to east. The site also includes a small area of hardstanding in the south-west corner that is currently being used informally for parking.”

“The site is bound to the west by the highway serving Mitchell Crescent with residential properties on the opposite side that overlook the site. To the south is a group of dwellings that form part of Hillcrest which are served by a steep highway that runs along part of the southern boundary. This area is also partly bound by some of the properties along Garden City where their rear gardens back on to the site.”

Officer report

Planning history

There was no relevant planning history for the site.

“There is no relevant planning history relating to the application site, to be taken into considerations in the merits of the proposed development.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the affordable housing, design, ecology, highways and transport benefits acceptable and recommended approval subject to conditions.

“The development of the site would have a positive contribution towards the delivery of much needed affordable housing and would meet the objectives of the local development plan. The design of the development has been carefully considered to enable its appropriate integration with the surrounding area, while tackling challenging constraints with the sloping nature of the site.”

“RECOMMENDATION: BE APPROVED subject to the following CONDITIONS:”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, planning policy, ecology, environmental health and housing officers raised no objections subject to conditions, while Welsh Water maintained a holding objection.

“Head of Engineering and Highways - No objection subject to conditions relating to a construction traffic management plan, cycle facilities, lighting, parking, retaining works, footpaths and access.”

“Environmental Health Manager - No objection subject to conditions relating to construction hours, dust management and land contamination.”

Officer report

What residents said

One objection concerned loss of openness, neighbouring residents, property values and the proposed accommodation’s future occupants.

“As a result of this publicity exercise 1 letter of objection was received which raised the following concerns:”

“The development would result in the loss of the open aspect enjoyed from the properties adjacent to the site. • The development would have an impact on property values. • The submitted plans have no consideration for the residents of Mitchell Crescent. • It is requested that the three tier houses be positioned lower down in the site to minimise any impacts.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the site context, proposed layout, ecological enhancements, house types and consultation responses.

The vote

The application was approved subject to the stated conditions, with 42 votes recorded.

“The application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report. 42”

Minutes