Minutes:
Grid Ref: E: 315216 N: 289382
Valid Date: 10.05.23
Community Council: Kerry Community Council
Applicant: Powys County Council
Location: Land Adjacent to Brynllywarch Hall School, Kerry, Newtown, SY16 4PB.
Proposal: Full planning application for a proposed replacement school, ancillary buildings, a MUGA, landscaping and associated works
Application Type: Full application
Councillor D Jones, Chairman spoke on behalf of Kerry, Sarn & Dolfor Community Council.
Mr D Archer spoke as an objector.
Mr D Green, Agent spoke on behalf of the applicant.
The Principal Planning Officer advised that if the Committee was minded to approve the application no decision will be issued until confirmation has been received from the Welsh Minister in line with their correspondence.
In response to a question regarding the reason for including condition 25 the Professional Lead Planning advised that the condition tied the existing building and proposed development together, to control the use of the existing site and to ensure that there was no increase in traffic to the area. If a change of use of the existing site in the future was required, the owner of the site would need to apply for the condition to be removed. The Highways Officer in response to a question advised that driveways, being the area between the carriageway and the private boundary, are classed as part of the highway and therefore can be considered to be “informal” passing places. In response to a question regarding the use of a green field site the Professional Lead, Planning advised that use of a brown field site is always preferred but policy does allow for green field sites to be used. He advised that the current buildings are listed and therefore constrain the development of modern school facilities. The Principal Planning Officer confirmed that a sequential assessment of other sites in Powys had been considered and these had been discounted. In response to a question the Professional Lead Planning advised that the current property was listed and the owner has a responsibility to maintain it, but what would happen to it in the future was not for consideration as part of the planning application before Committee.
Issues were raised about the visibility of the proposed development and its impact on other properties to the south of the site and also whether a ground source heat pump could be installed, as a new building is proposed. It was noted that a landscape plan was included and the Principal Planning Officer advised that it had been assessed that there was no adverse visual impact to surrounding properties. The Committee noted that it could not condition that a ground source heat pump be included but it was noted that a recommendation could be made by the Committee to the applicant. Wheelchair access to the rights of way was raised as an issue and in response the Principal Planning Officer advised that the kissing gate on the rights of way was listed as a curtilage structure and would be retained. Although wheelchair access to the right of way could not be conditioned a recommendation could be made to the applicant. The officer advised that the foul drainage proposal for the site was acceptable. The Committee noted that a SAB approval had been issued for the site.
It was moved and duly seconded to approve the application as recommended by the officer subject to consideration by the Welsh Minister.
RESOLVED: |
Reason for decision: |
that the application be granted consent subject to the conditions set out in the report which is filed with the signed minutes and that no decision shall be issued until confirmation has been received by the Welsh Minister in line with the received correspondence. |
As officer’s recommendation as set out in the report which is filed with the signed minutes. |
The Committee recommended to the applicant that a ground source heat pump should be considered and installed if appropriate as a new building was being proposed and that further trees and shrubs should be considered on the south facing side to screen the site. The Committee also recommended to the Rights of Way department that wheelchair access to the rights of way should be considered.
Councillor T Colbert moved to the public seating area and the Professional Lead Planning left the meeting room for the next application. Councillor E Vaughan left the online meeting.
Supporting documents: