Workshop and pergola at Maple Grange, Cross Lanes, Wrexham

What was proposed

Planning permission was sought for a workshop and pergola within the residential curtilage of the property.

“Proposal The application seeks planning permission for the erection of a workshop and pergola within the residential curtilage of this property.”

“The pergola would be an open sided structure approximately 7m width, 3.5m in length and approximately 2.9m high. It would have a flat roof.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions and amendments covered a replacement dwelling, conditions, approved plans, a garage and roof tile sample, and boundary landscaping.

“Site History P/2021/0916 - DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING & ERECTION OF REPLACEMENT DWELLING. Granted - 14/12/2021.”

“P2023/0301 - NON-MATERIAL AMENDMENT TO PLANNING PERMISSION P/2022/0951 TO AMEND PLAN - DESIGN CHANGE TO GARAGE AND ROOF TILE SAMPLE. Granted – 26/07/2023.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The community council objected, while the conservation officer raised no concerns and the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust opposed the proposal.

“Consultation Responses Community Council: Objects and raises the following concerns: 1) Awareness of Site History; 2) Use and modifications of existing garage to suggest residential use; 3) Unauthorised changes during construction 4) Removal of trees and natural habitat 5) Presence of a public footpath across the site 6) Unclear usage 7) Potential for business use, scale of proposed workshop and pergola, visual impact, future modifications, drainage concerns and concerns…”

“Welsh Historic Gardens Trust: Objects to the application. Expresses concern that the workshop and pergola are insensitive to a historic landscape which has recently undergone considerable restoration. Comments that the impact of the development could be reduced by a more appropriate scale and siting and that it should be possible to protect the historic character and enjoyment of a neighbouring property and garden.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Five objections raised concerns including noise, fire safety, landscape impact, business use, cumulative development, drainage, scale, materials and visibility.

“Responses to Publicity: 5 representations objecting to the application raising the following concerns: • Potential noise & odour; • Fire Safety; • Impact on rural landscape and Special Landscape Area • Bryn Arfon is an historic garden. The property is currently being assessed for listing by CADW; • There is an unauthorised shipping container within the garden used for business purposes; • Proximity to the neighbouring boundary;”

“Visual dominance; • Scale of the workshop; • The potential for business; • Cumulative impact of successive development; • Need for the development and • Drainage; • Removal of a boundary fence; • Lack of height dimensions; • Proposed materials; and • Ability to view the outbuildings from the public highway.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker addressed the committee against the application, and an agent spoke in support on behalf of the applicant.

Committee discussion

Members discussed earlier applications, the public right of way, an existing outbuilding and the prominence of the proposed structures.

“The Officer presented the report, and in doing so, displayed plans of the site to assist with his presentation. A discussion ensued and the following points were made:”

“Acknowledgement that several planning applications had previously been submitted for the site, but these should not influence the current decision. Applicants were entitled to seek amendments to planning permission which had previously been deemed acceptable. • Objectors had raised concerns regarding the public right of way, and whilst the proposed route was not confirmed, the pergola would not obstruct the right of way or impede public access.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee resolved to grant permission in accordance with the officer recommendation.

“RESOLVED – That permission be granted in accordance with the Officer recommendation.”

Minutes

Permission conditions

Permission required commencement within five years, compliance with approved plans, ancillary use only and implementation of biodiversity measures.

“The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiry of five years from the date of this permission.”

“No beneficial use of the development hereby permitted shall take place until the measures to deliver net benefit for biodiversity (NBB) shown on the Proposed Alterations - S095/011 - Rev A - dated 07/25 Plan have been implemented in full. The measures shall thereafter be maintained for the lifetime of the development.”

Officer report