Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors L V Corfield, D R Jones and P C Pritchard.

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 6 February, 2020 as a correct record.

The Chair was authorised to sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 February, 2020.

a)       To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda.

b)       To receive Members' requests that a record be made of their membership of town or community councils where discussion has taken place of matters for the consideration of this Committee.

c)       To receive declarations from Members of the Committee that they will be acting as 'Local Representative' in respect of an individual application being considered by the Committee.

d)       To note the details of Members of the County Council (who are not Members of the Committee) who will be acting as 'Local Representative' in respect of an individual application being considered by the Committee.

(a)       County Councillor D Price declared a prejudical interest in application 19/2015/FUL because the applicant undertakes contracting work on his farm business.

(b)       The Committee noted that no Member requested that a record be made of their membership of a Community Council where discussion had taken place of matters for the consideration of this Committee.

(c)        The Committee noted that no Member (who is a member of the Committee) would be acting as ‘local representative’ in respect of any application on the agenda.

(d)       The Committee noted that County Councillor L Roberts (who is not a member of the Committee) would be speaking as the ‘local representative’ in respect of an application on the agenda.

To consider the reports of the Head of Property, Planning and Public Protection and to make any necessary decisions thereon.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Property, Planning and Public Protection (copies filed with the signed minutes).

Any Updates will be added to the Agenda, as a Supplementary Pack, wherever possible, prior to the meeting.

The Members confirmed that they had received and had time to read the update circulated the previous day and prior to the meeting.

Grid Ref:                   E: 326751 N: 315870

Valid Date:               04/10/2017   

Community Council: Llandrinio and Arddleen Community Council

Applicant:                 Ms Mountford          

Location:                  Lower Trederwen Farm, Trederwen Lane, Arddleen, Llanymynech, Powys SY22 6PY

Proposal:                  Erection of an intensive poultry unit, biomass building and all associated works

Application Type:  Full Application       

County Councillor L Roberts spoke as the local representative.

Mrs S Wright spoke on behalf of local objectors.

Mr R Corbett spoke as the agent.

The Planning Officer advised that the update report contained information regarding flood risk and ammonia modelling.  In respect of the latter the development would use air scrubbers as a more efficient technology for the reduction in ammonia concentrations.  The Planning Officer also advised that the manure management plan had been considered and accepted.  He stated that the proposed development would cause no harm to the listed buildings or their settings in the area.

Clarification was sought on the amount of land available for spreading manure.  The Chair agreed a short adjournment, to seek clarification from the agent.  On resumption of the meeting, the Planning Officer advised that 194 hectares was available for the spread of manure.  He advised that the original manure management plan [2018] referred to an incorrect figure and advised that there was an error in the officer’s report which had been corrected to state 194 hectares.  The Committee noted that the excess manure would be taken to two anaerobic digesters.

In response to questions, the Planning Officer advised that the Routing Management Plan indicated that access/egress would be via the A483 highway.  The Committee noted that the main farm was on the mains water supply and the proposed development would also be connected to this.  The Planning Officer advised that the Manure Management Plan identified buffer zones around known private water supplies, where manure would not be spread.

In response to questions regarding the fact that part of the application site was in the C2 flood zone, the Planning Officer advised that the access road was the only part of the proposed development in this area.  He advised that Welsh Government guidance stated that no highly vulnerable development should be permitted in a C2 flood zone and the access track and poultry unit was considered to be a less vulnerable development.       

It was moved and duly seconded to approve the application as recommended by the officer in the update report.

County Councillor H Williams asked that his vote against the application be recorded.

County Councillor G Jones joined the meeting.

Grid Ref:                               309072   231583

Valid Date:                           25/02/2019

Community Council:         Felin-Fach Community Council

Applicant:                             Mr Simon Kendrick, c/o Agent (Agent Miss Llinos Hallett, Asbri Planning Ltd, Unit 9, Oak Tree Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff, CF23 8RS)

Location:                              Brecon Waste Transfer Site, Cwrt Y Plyfin, Llan-y-Wern, Brecon, Powys, LD3 0TT

Proposal:                              Demolition of existing structures and the proposed development of offices/welfare unit, a bulking facility, a storage shed, sump and silo for food waste, an area of hardstanding and associated car parking spaces for staff and operational vehicles.

Application Type:              Full application

In response to a question the Highways Authority advised that the junction to the A470 was within the jurisdiction of the Trunk Road Agency.  The Committee noted that the Welsh Government had not issued a direction in respect of the proposed development.

It was moved and duly seconded to approve the application as recommended by the officer.

County Councillor D Price having declared an interest left the meeting room for the next application.

Grid Ref:                               E: 301266 N: 251845

Valid Date:                           03/12/2019

Community Council:         Cilmery Community Council

Applicant:                             Mr Christopher Richards

Location:                              Noyadd Farm, Cilmery, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3NT

Proposal:                              Extend existing slurry store and construction of building to enclose slurry store including cover over open yard area

Application Type:              Full application

The Planning Officer advised that, notwithstanding the wording of the application, the application was to extend the covering of the slurry pit and not extending the slurry pit. 

It was moved and duly seconded to approve the application as recommended by the officer.

County Councillor D Price returned to the meeting and resumed his seat in the Committee.

To receive for information a list of decisions made by the Head of Property, Planning and Public Protection under delegated powers.

The Committee received for information a list of decisions made by the Head of Property, Planning and Public Protection during the period between 29 January, 2020 and 18 February, 2020.

To consider the Senior Enforcement Officer’s report.

The Committee considered the report regarding revised fees for the licensing of animal establishments to commence from April 2020.  The Senior Licensing Officer advised that fees had to be reviewed on an annual basis and that they had to cover the cost of the services provided.  During the review of fees, it had been noted that this was not the case and that therefore the Local Government Association [LGA] guidance was not being followed.

In response to questions, the officer advised that the Welsh Government was aware of the fee variation across Wales and it was working towards resolving this.

It was moved and duly seconded to approve the revised licensing fees subject to consultation.

To authorise the Chair presiding at the following Taxi Licensing Sub-Committee to sign the minutes as a correct record:   10 February, 2020.

The Chair presiding at the Taxi Review Panel held on 10 February =2020 was authorised to sign the minutes as a correct record.

The Solicitor advised that the application for a Judicial Review in respect of the proposed development of a poultry unit at Old Impton Farm [18/0779/FUL] had failed at the first stage – namely the application to the High Court to obtain permission to proceed with Judicial Review.  The application was rejected on all grounds.  The Applicant had requested an oral hearing before a judge in the High Court and again this was rejected on all grounds.  The Applicant had seven days in which to appeal to the Court of Appeal however that time limit had elapsed and no notice of appeal had been received.  The Council had been awarded costs.