Retaining wall and yard extension at Unit 16 Earthmovers House Llantrisant Business Park, Llantrisant

What was proposed

The application sought a retaining wall, drainage, landscaping and engineering works creating 470 square metres of additional hard-surfaced yard for vehicle and plant storage.

“Full planning permission is sought for the construction of a retaining wall and associated engineering works at Earthmovers House, to allow for an extension of the existing vehicle/plant depot yard space.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is part of an established vehicle and plant depot in an industrial estate, with open countryside and nearby homes to the north and east.

“The application site forms a small element of the overall wider depot yard – a boundary embankment at the north-eastern corner of the wider site (the eastern boundary of the Phase 2 depot extension site).”

“Open countryside is located to the north and east of the depot. It is noted however that a number of scattered residential dwellings are located in this area, the nearest being Tal- y-Fedw Farm and Ty Carreg Glas approximately 50m to the north-east, and Bryn-y-Fedw…”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

The depot has a long planning history, including permissions for its original site, extensions, retaining walls, drainage, landscaping and associated works.

“The wider depot site, across its various consented and proposed phases of development, is subject to a substantial planning history, much of which is associated with the nearby Tal-y-Fedw Farm to which the land formally belonged and previous development proposals before the site was occupied by the current depot use.”

“24/0758/RVOC: Removal of condition 18 of planning permission ref. 20/0932/10 (Earthmovers Phase 1 - original depot site), to allow removal of the earth bund at the north-eastern extent of the depot site which has been made obsolete as a result of planning permissions ref. 22/0357/10 (Earthmovers Phase 2 - extension of depot yard into land at rear) and 23/1119/10 (works to embankment within existing Phase 1 depot site). Decision: Granted, 13/02/25”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because it supported employment, retained the existing use, and would not significantly harm the area, residents, ecology or drainage.

“REASONS: The application site forms an element of an established vehicle/plant depot within the Llantrisant Business Park industrial estate. The proposal would see various works within the boundaries of the existing depot to improve facilities on site, in turn allowing the business to continue to operate within the County Borough, generating economic growth and a number of employment opportunities in the local area.”

“It is not considered the development works would result in a significant impact upon the character and appearance of the area or to the amenities of surrounding residents.”

Officer report

Neighbour concerns

A neighbouring resident objected to landscaping loss, possible noise reflection from the wall and continuing disturbance from depot operations.

“The proposed development would remove an area of landscaping approved as part of the earlier Phase 2 depot extension planning permission, which was required to reduce the visual impact of the site. The required Phase 2 landscaping would, in time, contribute to the masking of the site from our vantage point. The landscaping should therefore be retained, at least at yard level and adjacent to the boundary wall if this application is to be approved.”

“Whilst the addition of a retaining wall, in principle, appears to be beneficial from a noise perspective, it is possible that the large flat surface of the proposed wall, in conjunction with the proposed shelter opposite it and the hard yard surface covering that is to be added (proposed Phase 3 works under consideration of separate planning application and yet to commence), will create a valley or canyon effect, which might actually amplify noise levels due to reflections.”

Officer report

Who addressed members

The committee heard from the agent, who was given five minutes to address members.

The committee decision

The committee approved the application in accordance with the recommendation, while one councillor abstained because he had not attended the full debate.

“The Head of Planning presented the application to Committee and following consideration it was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation of the Director, Housing and Regeneration.”

“(Note: Councillor M Powell abstained from the vote as he was not present for the full debate.)”

Minutes