Planning Committee

The Planning Committee met on 4 March 2026. It confirmed the minutes of its 4 February meeting and noted a report on recent planning appeal decisions. The minute on planning applications refers to decisions listed in an appendix, which is not in the papers available, so no individual planning decisions can be reported. The committee also authorised officers to draft any amendments or additional conditions to the applications.

1. Planning applications: decisions and delegated authority

   Decided

   The minute records that decisions on planning applications are recorded as shown in Appendix A. That appendix is not in the papers available for this summary, so individual decisions cannot be reported. The committee also authorised the Planning and Development Manager to draft any amendments to, or additional conditions on, the applications.

   Why

   The report explains that the committee decides applications under powers the council has delegated to it. It weighs planning policy and other material planning considerations, and each application comes with an officer recommendation. Under Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, applications must be decided in line with the Newport Local Development Plan (adopted January 2015) unless other material considerations indicate otherwise.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Schedule 4th March 2026

2. Planning appeal decisions

   Decided

   No decision was recorded. The report was put to members for information.

   Why

   The report lists three recent appeals. An appeal at 270 Mill Heath, Bettws, against the council's refusal of a two-storey side extension, was dismissed. An appeal at Holly Cottage, Llandevaud, against the council's decision not to issue a remedial notice over a high hedge complaint, was also dismissed. An appeal at 33 Walmer Road, Newport, against the committee's refusal to allow a three-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO, a house shared by several unrelated people), was allowed on 5 February 2026. The committee had refused it on three grounds: the size of one bedroom, a lack of secure bike storage, and inadequate waste provision. The inspector found that bedroom modest in size but with a large window and tall ceilings. The inspector also said licensing space standards are separate from planning policy and should not be used alone to judge quality.

   Based on the minutes, Appeal Agenda March 2026

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. Apologies

   Minute

   Councillors M Linton and J Jones.

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   None.

3. 3

   Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   Minute

   The minutes of the meeting held on 4 of February 2026 were submitted. Resolved That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 of February 2026 be taken as read and confirmed.

   Papers: Minutes of the Previous Meeting, Decisions
4. 4

   Development Management: Planning Application Schedule

   Minute

   (1) That decisions be recorded as shown on the Planning Applications Schedule attached as an Appendix A. (2) That the Planning and Development Manager be authorised to draft any amendments to/additional conditions

   Papers: Committee Schedule 4th March 2026
5. 5

   Appeal Decisions

   Minute

   Members attention was drawn to the appeals report for information. To access a full recording of the discussions that took place during this meeting, please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel Planning Committee, 04 March 2026 Part 2

   Papers: Appeal Agenda March 2026

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.

• Malcolm Linton, ChairLabourSent apologies
• Tim Harvey, Vice ChairLabourPresent
• Bev Perkins, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Gavin Horton, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Jason Jordan, Committee MemberNewport Independent PartyPresent
• John Jones, Committee MemberConservativeSent apologies
• John Reynolds, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Mark Howells, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Stephen Cocks, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Trevor Watkins, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• William Routley, Committee MemberConservativePresent

Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.