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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 Apologies were received by Councillor Stuart Ashley.
2.1 The following interest were declared by Members: • Councillor Jon Horlor declared a personal interest in agenda items 5 and 6 as a Member of Pontypool Community Council who had been consulted on the applications. • Councillor Gaynor James declared a personal interest in agenda items 5 and 6 as a Member of Pontypool Community Council who had been consulted on the applications. • Councillor Jon James declared a personal interest in agenda items 5 and 6 as a Member of Pontypool Community Council who had been consulted on the applications. • Councillor Alan Slade declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 4 as he had made favourable comments on the application as part of the pre-application consultation report as Ward Councillor.
3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 11th February 2026 were confirmed as a true and accurate record.
4.1 The Team Leader (Planning Applications) presented the report including plans and photos to Members making the following comments: • The application site comprised of an existing vacant, single‑storey red‑brick office building, roughly H‑shaped, located within an established business park. • The site was located within a mixed-use context comprising of Llantarnam Primary School to the north, areas of woodland and nearby residential properties, the wider James Prosser Way estate, B1 industrial uses and an ambulance station on the opposite side of the access road. • Access to the site would be via the existing business park road, connecting to the adopted highway, there were no new access points proposed. • The proposal seeks change of use from office (B1) to school. The school would be a faith school but was not a Catholic or Church in Wales school. • The school would accommodate up to 160 pupils, ranging from infant to primary age. Pupils would be transported to and from the site by minibus, with 14 minibuses proposed. • The existing on‑site parking spaces would be used and there were no new parking spaces required. Highways officers raised no objection, subject to the transport and management arrangements proposed. • The external facilities included a Multi‑Use Games Area (MUGA), a designated outdoor play area, woodland pathways and a nature‑based play space for older pupils. The distance between the MUGA and the nearest residential properties was approximately 30 metres. • The entire site would be secured with mesh fencing to control access and movement. • Building alterations would be minor and would include new doors and windows and installation of perimeter fencing to screen the site from surrounding uses. • The majority of the existing woodland would be retained, providing screening to nearby dwellings. Three Category C ash trees were proposed to be removed to accommodate the new play area. There would however been replacement trees planted consisting of Common lime, Wild cherry, Silver birch and Himalayan birch. The proposed tree species were considered to improve long‑term ecological resilience, particularly in light of ash dieback. • Additional understorey hedgerow planting was also proposed to enhance biodiversity, maintain visual screening and provide a child‑friendly environment. • A five‑year landscape and woodland management plan would accompany the application to ensure successful establishment and maintenance. • The school operated both internationally and nationally with sites in Swansea and Bristol and the operational model was established and tested, including pupil transport arrangements. • There had been some objections which related to the proximity to residential properties, outdoor activity and noise. Those concerns had been assessed and addressed within the committee report. • The proposed play area and paths within the woodland would be closer to the to the residential properties than outlined within the report. • Welsh Water had initially objected but withdrew their objection following relocation of the MUGA away from their assets. 4.2 In response to comments and questions by Members of the Planning Committee, the Team Leader (Planning Applications) gave the following responses: • The site’s existing authorised use as offices generated regular vehicle movements. Under the proposed use, pupils would be transported to and from the site by bus, and therefore the only regular visitors would be staff. The Highways Authority had assessed the parking provision and access arrangements and had given due consideration to pupil transport arrangements and raised no objections. The education provider already operated this model successfully across other sites, and it was therefore considered both feasible and realistic. • A noise assessment had been submitted and formed part of the application. The assessment considered existing ambient noise levels and the likely impact of school-related activity, acknowledging that children can generate noise at certain times of the day. However, it was noted that the school would not operate during certain periods, such as school holidays, and that restrictions had been placed on the timing of outdoor activities. The assessment demonstrated no unacceptable impact on residential amenity and the Council’s Environmental Health Officer had raised no objections to the proposal on noise or amenity grounds. • The three trees proposed to be removed only showed early signs of ash disease however there was evidence that deterioration was likely over time. The proposed replacement planting was considered to provide greater resilience, particularly when combined with the retention of the existing oak trees. The proposed species were known for their environmental benefits, including carbon absorption. The ecological assessment considered not only tree numbers but also the wider ecological mix, including new native hedgerows and understory planting, in line with duties under Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act. The Council’s Ecologist was satisfied with the overall ecological balance and enhancement proposed. • The proposed replacement trees would be planted at a semi‑mature size rather than fully mature. This approach was considered appropriate, as it would allow the trees time to establish properly within the soil and develop resilience. Planting fully mature trees could be counterproductive, as they may fail to establish and require removal. The selected tree sizes would allow sufficient space for each specimen to grow and reach its full height without interfering with others, which was considered particularly important for long‑term growth and stability. • It would be a private school with a Christian ethos and was not aligned to a specific Christian denomination. • Private schools did not operate within a defined catchment area. However, it was considered unlikely that pupils would be drawn from areas such as Swansea or Bristol, as similar schools already operate in those locations. The school’s intake was expected to be drawn primarily from the South East Wales region. • The proposed fencing around the rear area would be circa 3 metres in height. The woodland area would primarily be used by older pupils and appropriate levels of adult supervision would be in place to ensure pupil safety and prevent unauthorised movement beyond the designated areas. 4.3 Members agreed with 7 Members voting in favour and 2 Members voting against to approve the application subject to the conditions laid out in the report.
5.1 The Senior Planner presented the report to Members, displaying plans and photos and made the following comments: • The application related to the former public toilet building on Hanbury Road and formed part of the Pontypool Town Centre Levelling Up Fund regeneration scheme. • Planning permission was sought for the substantial demolition of the existing building and its rebuild to provide a café/restaurant use. • The site fronts Hanbury Road and backs onto the Italian Gardens, which formed part of the setting of the nearby registered park. The surrounding area includes several heritage assets, including the Listed War Memorial Gates and Library to the north, the Civic Centre opposite and St James’ Church nearby. The building was identified as an important building within the Conservation Area. • The proposal had been considered by Planning Committee previously in different forms since 2023. Earlier schemes included extensions to the front, side and rear, a first-floor element, and conversion of most of the lower ground floor, including a kiosk to the Italian Gardens. Subsequent variations followed due to structural and cost constraints, including amendments to fenestration, doors, internal layouts, and rear structural columns. • The current application follows further structural and viability concerns with the previously approved schemes. • The proposed demolition was considered substantial. A separate Conservation Area Consent application had been submitted which would be determined by Welsh Ministers rather than the local planning authority. • Parts of the existing structure would be retained, including the section adjoining the War Memorial Gates, the front projection and entrance surrounds and the majority of the lower ground floor retaining structure. • The rebuilt structure would retain a similar overall appearance to the existing building, including a hipped roof profile, a rendered finish with panel detailing and plinths and the retention of entrance pillars. The roof and eaves heights would increase to accommodate the new design. The existing glass block windows would be reused where feasible. • The existing public toilets would be replaced by the café/restaurant, with two public toilets retained within the front projection. • A modern rear extension was proposed, featuring full-height glazing around the perimeter and dark external cladding. • The lower ground floor would no longer be converted, as it was required for structural support. • A small kiosk building was proposed at the rear, adjacent to the Italian Gardens. • A new terrace, retaining wall, and reconfigured steps would integrate the building with the existing garden pathways. • The main entrance from Hanbury Road would provide access through to the café/restaurant overlooking the Italian Gardens. • Solar panels were proposed on the flat roof of the rear extension, with plant equipment concealed within the roof design. • Construction access was proposed from the south, following the Italian Gardens pathway to the rear. Temporary removal of the pond and areas of grass would be required during construction. A planning condition was proposed to secure full restoration of the Italian Gardens, including reinstatement of the pond. • Two trees previously removed under earlier consents were subject to a replacement condition. All remaining trees were to be retained, with additional conditions requiring appropriate tree protection measures during construction. • The proposal broadly followed the principle established by previous permissions. • The impact on surrounding heritage assets and the Italian Gardens was considered minor and was adequately mitigated through design. 5.2 In response to comments and questions asked by Members, Officers gave the following responses: · The proposed level of demolition reflected what the applicant’s design and construction team were confident could be delivered realistically as part of the application. Any demolition beyond that approved would constitute a breach of both the planning permission and the associated conservation area consent. Should such a breach occur during construction, it would be addressed through the appropriate enforcement processes at that time. · Level access was provided from Hanbury Road directly into the proposed café/restaurant, with accessible toilet facilities included at that level. In relation to the Italian Gardens, the site was naturally sloped. The proposed design includes steps on one side of the terrace and a sloping access route with a handrail on the other, allowing access to the terrace via a ramped approach from the southern end. · The dark (black) façade and glazed elements shown on the plans represent the proposed finished appearance. The design adopted a modern approach intended to contrast with, yet complement, the original building rather than replicate it. · The design choices were inherently subjective, but the darker tone was selected deliberately to create a sleek and contemporary appearance that allows the historic building to retain visual prominence. The contrast was considered preferable to imitation of historic materials. · Lighter or softer colours were consciously avoided, as they were more susceptible to visible weathering over time, particularly given the building’s orientation and proximity to trees. Darker finishes were considered more durable and less likely to appear dated prematurely. · Emphasis was placed on the simplicity of the architectural form and fenestration, with wide glazed openings and clean lines providing a balanced visual relationship between the existing rendered structure and the new extension. · The areas beneath the building, including around the kiosk and retaining structure, would feature a timber‑effect finish, providing material variation and softening the overall appearance. · The proposal had been reviewed by the Council’s Heritage Officer, who was satisfied that the design was appropriate and that the relationship between the new and historic elements was acceptable. · The glazing located on the upper floor canopy would be accessible for cleaning from the Italian Gardens. The maintenance approach would be comparable to standard cleaning arrangements for upper‑floor glazing in other buildings. · It was proposed to install solar panels on the roof of this flat roof extension. · The importance of incorporating environmentally sustainable measures was acknowledged and environmental matters such as grey water recycling, water usage, and thermal efficiency would be considered at the Building Control stage, in line with modern building standards. · The rebuilt structure would be required to meet current thermal performance standards, resulting in reduced heating demand. Additional sustainability measures included the installation of solar panels. · Planning Officers would forward Members comments on to the Regeneration team, who would examine the feasibility of water capture and reuse systems in greater technical detail as part of the detailed design and building control process. 5.3 Members unanimously agreed to approve the application subject to the conditions laid out in the report.
6.1 The Senior Planner presented the report to Members, displaying plans and photos and made the following comments: · The application formed part of the Levelling Up Fund programme for Pontypool and seeks to improve the existing civic centre car park to enhance the visitor experience, particularly during evening and night‑time use. · The site lies adjacent to the Civic Centre, with the car park roof connecting to the upper‑level of Tesco car park. · The existing structure reflected the Civic Centre’s character, including brick finishes, slate cladding, curved archways, landscaped areas, and an existing pedestrian walkway linking to the Tesco car park. · An earlier permission approved the removal of masonry whilst retaining the steel frame, recladding the building, installation of a roof for solar panels, and a substantial stairwell extension incorporating toilets, a lift, and a walkway. · A subsequent revised scheme was submitted due to cost and structural concerns, proposing a smaller stairwell extension with lift and toilets, partial rendering, retained brickwork, cladding to the main elevation, and a walkway to the Tesco car park. · The current application represents a further revised and simplified scheme. The building footprint would remain unchanged, with no provision now proposed for public toilets or a lift. Improvements would focus on refurbishment and visual enhancement, including recladding the stairwell to improve appearance, enlarging existing openings and adding a feature sign, retention and cleaning of existing brickwork, painting of street‑facing elevations, installation of vertical aluminium fin cladding with a gold finish to key elevations. The pitched roof to the stairwell would be replaced with a flat roof to accommodate solar panels. · The internal reconfiguration of the car park would enable the provision of 4 electric vehicle charging bays and 11 disabled parking bays. The total number of spaces would reduce from 264 to 246, with improved accessibility and sustainability provision. · The existing landscaped areas and trees would be retained, and a new planting strategy was proposed to enhance the visual appearance. It was proposed to install bird boxes, bat boxes, and a bee post within the landscaped areas to enhance the biodiversity. 6.2 The Senior Planner gave the following replies to questions and comments from Members: · The detailed construction arrangements would not be finalised until submission and approval of a Construction Environmental Management Plan. The Local Planning Authority had limited control over the precise timing of development works, beyond the standard time limit attached to the planning permission. However, given that the café and the car park proposals both formed part of the Levelling Up Fund programme, which was subject to funding deadlines, it was considered likely that both schemes would be delivered within similar timescales and may be undertaken concurrently. · The Construction Environmental Management Plans, prepared in consultation with Environmental Health and Highways, would seek to manage construction activities effectively and minimise impacts on the surrounding area. · The current proposal represented a significantly scaled‑back scheme compared to earlier submissions due to the increased construction costs associated with the café building which resulted in necessitated revisions to the overall scheme, with priority given to delivery of the café element over more extensive alterations to the existing car park. · Once installed, the proposed cladding was expected to present a modern and high‑quality appearance · The revised scheme was more subtle and complementary to its surroundings than previous proposals, and the development would result in an attractive appearance that reflected and respected the character of the surrounding area. 6.3 Members agreed with 9 Members voting in favour and 1 Member voting against to approve the application subject to the conditions laid out in the report.
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