Planning Committee

The Planning Committee approved the conversion of a house at 47 Lewis Road, Neath, into two flats. It agreed a site visit for the proposed change of a chapel in Crynant into a care home, and withdrew that application until the visit has taken place. It also noted two reports on planning appeals and decisions made by officers.

1. Cais am ymweliad safle ar gyfer cais Capel Salem, Crynant

   Decided

   Following a vote, the committee agreed to hold a site visit on Application P2026/0371, for change of use of Salem Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Brynawel, Crynant, to a residential care home (Use Class C2).

   Why

   Members asked for a site visit. A site visit lets committee members see the land and buildings in person before they decide an application. The minute gives no further reasons.

   Based on the minutes

2. Conversion of 47 Lewis Road, Neath, into two flats

   Decided

   The committee approved Application P2026/0345 to convert the dwelling at 47 Lewis Road, Neath, into two self-contained two-bedroom flats. Approval is subject to the conditions in the circulated report.

   Why

   Officers presented the application to the committee using the circulated report. The minute does not record any discussion or reasons for the decision.

   Based on the minutes

3. Capel Salem, Crynant: cais cartref gofal wedi'i dynnu'n ôl am y tro

   Decided

   The committee withdrew Application P2026/0371, for change of use of the chapel to a residential care home (Use Class C2), from consideration at this meeting. It will not be considered until a site visit has taken place.

   Why

   The minute says the item was withdrawn because members had asked for a site visit and the committee had voted to approve one.

   Based on the minutes

4. Planning appeals determined, 10 August to 21 September 2026

   Decided

   The committee noted the report.

   Why

   The report lists appeals decided in this period. The minute records no discussion.

   Based on the minutes

5. Delegated planning decisions, 10 August to 21 September 2026

   Decided

   The committee noted the report.

   Why

   Delegated decisions are planning decisions taken by officers under powers given to them by the council, rather than by the committee. The minute records no discussion.

   Based on the minutes

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 1

   Chairs Announcements

   Minute

   The Chair, Councillor J.Jones, welcomed all to the meeting.

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   There were no declarations of interest received.

3. 3

   Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   Minute

   The minutes of the meeting held on 18 August 2026, were approved as an accurate record.

   Papers: Minutes Public Pack, 18/08/2026 Planning Committee
4. 4

   To Request Site Visit(s) from the Applications Presented

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: That a Site Visit be held on Application No. P2026/0371 – Salem Calvinistic Methodist Chapel Brynawel Crynant, Change of use of existing Chapel to Residential Care Home (Use Class C2).

   Minute

   Members requested a Site Visit on Application No. P2026/0371 – Salem Calvinistic Methodist Chapel Brynawel Crynant - Following a vote, the Site Visit was agreed. RESOLVED: That a Site Visit be held on Application No. P2026/0371 – Salem Calvinistic Methodist Chapel Brynawel Crynant, Change of use of existing Chapel to Residential Care Home (Use Class C2).

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

5. 5

   Application No. P2026/0345 - 47 Lewis Road, Neath SA11 1DJ

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: Application No. P2026/0345 – 47 Lewis Road, Neath, SA11 1DJ, Proposed conversion of dwelling into 2 No 2 bedroom self-contained flats, be approved subject to the conditions contained within the circulated report.

   Minute

   Officers made a presentation to the Planning Committee as detailed in the circulated report on Application No: P2026/0345 – 47 Lewis Road, Neath, SA11 1DJ. Proposed conversion of dwelling into 2 No 2 bedroom self contained flats, as detailed in the circulated report. RESOLVED: Application No. P2026/0345 – 47 Lewis Road, Neath, SA11 1DJ, Proposed conversion of dwelling into 2 No 2 bedroom self-contained flats, be approved subject to the conditions contained within the circulated report.

   Papers: 29-09-26 Section A - P2026-0345 43 Lewis Road
6. 6

   Application No. P2026/0371 - Salem Calvinistic Methodist Chapel Brynawel Crynant

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: That Application No: P2026/0371 – Change of use of existing Chapel to Residential Care Home (Use Class C2) at Salem Calvinistic Medthodist Chapel, Brynawel, Crynant be withdrawn from consideration at today’s meeting, until a Site Visit has taken place.

   Minute

   Following a request for a Site Visit, and a subsequent vote of approval on the Site Visit from the Planning Committee, this item was withdrawn from consideration at today’s meeting. RESOLVED: That Application No: P2026/0371 – Change of use of existing Chapel to Residential Care Home (Use Class C2) at Salem Calvinistic Medthodist Chapel, Brynawel, Crynant be withdrawn from consideration at today’s meeting, until a Site Visit has taken place.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: 29-09-26 Section A P2026-0371 Salem Chapel, Committee amendment sheet 29-09-26
7. 7

   Appeals Determined - From 10-08-26 to 21-09-26

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

   Minute

   RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

   Papers: 29-09-26 Section B Appeals_Determined-10-08-26 to 21-09-26
8. 8

   Delegated Decisions - From 10-08-26 to 21-09-26

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

   Minute

   RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: 29-09-26 Section B Delegated_List-10-08-26 to 21-09-26
9. 9

   Urgent Items

   Minute

   There were no urgent items received.

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

• Jeff Jones, ChairIndependentPresent
• Tim Bowen, Vice ChairIndependentPresent
• Andy Lodwig, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Carl Jordan, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Dennis Keogh, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Gareth Rice, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Heath Davies, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Matthew Crowley, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Rosalyn Davies, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Sarah Thomas, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Sian Harris, Committee MemberIndependentIn attendance
• Susanne Renkes, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Wyndham Fryer Griffiths, UDP Member (Non-voting)Plaid CymruIn attendance

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