Minutes:
Grid Ref: E: 304151 N: 293359
Valid Date: 17/12/20
Community Council: Caersws Community Council
Applicant: Miss A Barrett
Location: Land at Ael Y Bryn, Aberhafesp, Newtown, Powys
Proposal: Construction of an all-new crematorium, including the erection of a crematorium building, change of use of land to provide a green burial site, creation of landscaped grounds to include a garden of remembrance, improved and new access arrangements, car parking area, sewage treatment plant and drainage and all associated works
Application Type: Full Application
Mr D Evans and Mr K Humphreys spoke against the application.
Mr A Southerby, Mr J Hurlstone and Mr S Richards spoke as the Agent and consultants respectively.
The Principal Planning Officer advised that if the Committee was minded to approve the application the conditions were those detailed in the update report. The Officer also advised that the application was subject to a holding direction from Welsh Government which prevented the authority from issuing a decision whilst Welsh Government considered whether to call-in the application for its own determination.
In response to questions the Principal Planning Officer advised that Natural Resources Wales [NRW] was content with the information submitted and had reviewed the Tier 3 information submitted by the applicant. NRW had asked that a condition for monitoring of ground water be undertaken during the operation of the site and five years after the site ceases to operate and the Officer advised that such a condition should be added if the Committee was minded to approve the application.
She advised that the burial of ashes was covered by the Crematorium Act 1902 and therefore planning conditions would not duplicate that legislation.
Concerns were raised about traffic movement associated with the proposed development and the impact of this on the local road network. The Highways Officer advised that the applicant had submitted a comprehensive and robust traffic statement. The maximum vehicle movements per day were estimated as 400. He considered this was the worst case scenario and considered that there was no significant adverse impact on the highway. In response to comments the Highways Officer advised that the Authority had to consider the national accident data, which was based on police records. He advised that no incidents were reported in the last three years in respect of the crossroad junction near the proposed development site. He acknowledged what the local member was saying about incidents but the Highway Authority was required to only consider data from the national data base. He advised that the maximum of vehicle movements was not a reason for refusing the application on highway grounds. He advised that there were no concerns about capacity issues on the local network and no safety concerns.
It was moved and duly seconded to approve the application as recommended by the officer in their update report, with an additional condition being added that monitoring of ground water be undertaken during the operation of the site and five years after the site ceases to operate. County Councillor R Williams did not vote as he had lost connection to the meeting during the discussion.
The Solicitor advised that as the applicant was a Councillor, he had reviewed the information held on the Planning Portal and confirmed that it had been processed “normally”, as required under the Planning Protocol.
RESOLVED: |
Reason for decision: |
that the application be granted consent, subject to the conditions set out in the update report which is filed with the signed minutes and to a condition being added that monitoring of ground water be undertaken during the operation of the site and five years after the site ceases to operate. |
As officer’s recommendation as set out in the update report which is filed with the signed minutes. Additional condition to ensure protection of ground waters, as recommended by Natural Resources Wales
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The Committee noted that no decision will be issued until confirmation has been received by the Welsh Ministers regarding the call in request.
The meeting was adjourned at 1400hrs and recommenced at 1431hrs.
County Councillor G Pugh re-joined the meeting. County Councillor L Skilton did not return to the meeting and County Councillors D Selby, M Weale and J Wilkinson advised that they would be leaving at 1500hrs.
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