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There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.
1.1 There were no apologies received.
2.1 The following interests were declared: • Councillor Stuart Ashley declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 as a Member of the Strategic Canal Board. • Councillor Karl Gauden declared a personal interest in agenda item 4 as ward member. • Councillor Jon Horlor declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 as a Member of Pontypool Community Council who had been consulted on the application. • Councillor Gaynor James declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 as a Member of Pontypool Community Council who had been consulted on the application. • Councillor Jon James declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 as a Member of Pontypool Community Council who had been consulted on the application.
3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 5th February 2025 were confirmed as a true and accurate record.
4.1 The Planning Consultant presented the report to Members in detail and displayed photographs and plans of the site. The Planning Consultant made a correction to the report which stated that it was proposed to remove one of the protected trees due to its poor condition, however this tree had already been removed, and this had been agreed by the Council. 4.2 Members asked a number of questions, and the following responses were given by Officers: • An application for this site was originally submitted in 2010 and a Planning Site Inspection with Members was carried out as part of that process. The application was refreshed in 2018. • Lots of consultation had been undertaken as part of the planning process. • The Council’s Ecologist was satisfied with the tree species and the soft landscaping proposed. • There were a number of Category ‘u’ trees on the site which were defined as being in such a poor condition that they could not realistically be retained. • It was proposed to plant an additional three trees for every one tree removed. • Construction traffic was often an issue on development sites and the roads in this location were narrow and poorly surfaced, however there would be condition attached to any planning permission granted to ensure that a Construction Environmental Management Plan be submitted before works could commence, this plan would outline how construction traffic would be managed and environmental effects mitigated. • As part of the application, it was proposed to widen and resurface the road and provide a footway all to an adoptable standard. • An Ecological Survey Report was submitted in support of the application which outlined measures on how birds would be protected during the construction phase, including avoiding tree removal during bird nesting season. There would be conditions attached to any permission granted to ensure the wildlife was protected throughout and the Council’s Ecologist was satisfied with the proposed measures. • There were issues with the drainage within the area and the Applicant had been in contact with Welsh Water and his Engineers had submitted a drainage statement. Welsh Water would be looking at the capacity of the sewers. As part of the application a condition would be attached requiring a Sustainable Drainage System to be submitted for approval by the SAB Authority. The Council’s Drainage Officer was satisfied in principle with the scheme subject to further details. Planning Officers were satisfied that drainage could be dealt with satisfactorily and that the proposed measures should improve the existing situation. • It was proposed to have three off street parking spaces per dwelling which complied with Parking Standards and Council Policy. • Officers were satisfied with the design of the proposed properties and felt that they would fit in with the surrounding area. • The Council’s Highways Officer did not have any objections with the proposal. • Matters such as Construction Noise and Access would be dealt with via the Construction Environmental Management Plan which would need to be approved before construction works could commence. There would be construction noise however this would be minimised at sensitive times through a restriction on the hours that operational development could take place. • It was an unadopted road and the owner was unknown but the improvements to the road were being proposed by the Applicant and would be secured via a Section 106 Agreement. The road would be improved to an adoptable standard and the applicant would be required to offer it to the Council for adoption. • Officers were recommending approval of the scheme, there were lots of conditions attached to the application to safeguard any concerns. 4.3 The ward member stated that the pictures shown in the presentation did not do the area justice. It was a rural area with mature properties. The drainage in the area was not adequate which led to the area flooding on many occasions. The lane could do without the additional traffic the proposal would generate. There were lots of objections from residents and he felt that there was merit in having a site visit. 4.4 The ward member proposed that the application was deferred pending a site visit, this was seconded. 4.5 Members agreed with 9 voting in favour and 1 voting against to defer the application for a site visit. The Chair pointed out that she wished those members who voted for a site visit to attend.
5.1 The Planner presented the report to Members in detail and displayed photographs and plans of the site. 5.2 In response to questions and comments made by Members, Officers gave the following responses: • There would be cages installed over the culverted parts to prevent blockages. • The application was visually acceptable, and it was felt that installing fencing around the ponds would spoil the landscape. • There was always a level of risk when it came to water, however it was a Council scheme, and the Health and Safety aspects had been fully considered and the slopes and depths of the ponds reflected that. • It was an attractive site and as part of the ecology assessment, it was proposed that areas of the site would be retained during the construction phase. There was a long-term plan for natural regeneration which would create new habitats. • As part of the application a contaminated land assessment had been undertaken. Water was being brought from underground to overground, and it would be controlled via natural filtration which was one of the reasons for the proposal. The new culverts would ensure that when the water left the site it would be a better quality of water. 5.3 Members unanimously agreed to approve the application subject to the conditions laid out in the report.
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