70 affordable homes at Land to the East of Hafod Wen, Tonyrefail

The site and surroundings

The 2.7-hectare site lies within Tonyrefail’s settlement boundary, with housing to the west and countryside, a Special Landscape Area and an SSSI nearby.

“To the west of the site there is an existing residential development at Hafod Wen immediately, whilst Investiture Place is further to the south. The land to the north and east is open countryside and designated as a Special Landscape Area; furthermore, that to the north-east is a SSSI.”

“APPLICATION NUMBER – 25/0470/RVOC REPORT The site is within the defined settlement boundary, is located partly within an area designated by the Coal Authority as high risk to development and is also within a sandstone safeguarding area.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions and changes

Earlier permissions were granted for the residential development, while construction progressed and later site visits identified deviations requiring regularisation.

“The development is at an advanced stage of construction, with the engineering works largely complete, phase 1 nearly finished and property foundations and above ground work taking place in the phase 2 area.”

“Subsequently, two site visits were undertaken by the case officer, a member of the Council’s drainage team on the first occasion and the Council’s Enforcement Manager on the second occasion. Concerns were highlighted with the Applicant’s Developer Team in respect of the steepness of the plateau retaining banks, gabion walls to the western side of the boundary, adjacent to Hafod Wen, plot levels as well as landscaping works and the position of boundary treatments.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the changes acceptable because they would not significantly harm the locality, neighbouring amenity or highway safety, subject to obligations and conditions.

“Whilst some of the revisions to the approved scheme are considered to be less attractive than others, particularly the embankment changes; from a planning perspective none are considered to be of significant detriment to visual or third party amenity. The recommendation to Members is therefore one of approval, subject to a deed of variation to the existing Section 106 agreement.”

“It is considered the proposal would not have a unacceptably different impact on the character and appearance of the locality or upon the residential amenity of the surrounding neighbouring properties, compared to the previously approved scheme, to warrant a refusal of permission.”

Officer report

Consultation and public comments

Sixty-nine neighbouring properties were notified, no comments or objections were received, and consultees raised no objections to the proposed changes.

“The application has been advertised by direct notification to sixty-nine neighbouring properties and notices were displayed on site.”

“No comments or objections have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Head of Planning presented the application to the committee.

The decision

“to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation of the Director, Prosperity and Development Subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement to secure the existing planning obligations detailed below to the new permission: • to ensure that the dwellings are established and maintained as affordable units, for the continued purpose of meeting identified local housing needs. • to provide a Habitat Management Plan for the long-term aftercare and maintenance of the SSSI mitigation and buffer areas. • to secure a developer contribution of £70k for off-site play provision at Capel Hill. A deed of variation will be required to secure those elements to a new permission.”

Minutes, 14 Aug 2025