Planning, Regulatory and Licensing

The committee approved a planning application to replace Bishop Hedley High School with a new all-through school for pupils aged 3 to 16, subject to conditions. It also received reports on four planning appeals, appeal decisions and officer decisions made under delegated powers between July and September 2023.

1. Decided

   The committee approved the application, subject to the conditions in the report, in line with the officers' recommendation.

   Why

   The new school would replace four existing schools with one all-through school for pupils aged 3 to 16, including nursery, primary and secondary phases. The report notes an objection that raised concerns about traffic on Galon Uchaf Road, ground stability, water run-off, trees and ecology, and noise and air pollution from a temporary car park. Committee members asked about land contamination, traffic, crossings, emergency access, rugby changing rooms and disabled access; the minute does not record the answers in detail.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report

2. Appeal against refusal of outline planning for a dwelling, Dowlais

   Decided

   The committee agreed to receive the report on the appeal.

   Why

   The appeal, received on 12 July 2023, is against the council's refusal of an application by Miss Susan Jones for outline planning permission for a dwelling on land opposite Brynteg Stable Yard. Outline permission agrees the principle of building, with details left for a later application.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report

3. Appeal against refusal of a dwelling off Cardiff Road, Merthyr Vale

   Decided

   The committee agreed to receive the report on the appeal.

   Why

   The appeal, received on 13 July 2023, is against the council's refusal of an application by Mr Navid Childs to build a dwelling on land off Cardiff Road, north of 21 Mount Pleasant. The papers give no reasons for the refusal.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report

4. Appeal against refusal of a mobile home, EFI Industrial Estate

   Decided

   The committee agreed to receive the report on the appeal.

   Why

   The appeal, received on 28 July 2023, is against the council's refusal of an application by Mr Chris Marshall to move a residential mobile home, extend its grounds and add a day room and parking on land northwest of Aartal Bungalow. The papers give no reasons for the refusal.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report

5. Appeal against refusal of a takeaway at 57 Pontmorlais

   Decided

   The committee agreed to receive the report on the appeal.

   Why

   The appeal, received on 13 July 2023, is against the council's refusal of an application by Mrs Sara Lloyd to change the ground floor of 57 Pontmorlais from a hairdresser's to a takeaway. Changing what a building is used for needs planning permission when it moves into a different planning category.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report

6. Appeal decision on a garage at 10 Bishops Grove, Penydarren

   Decided

   The committee agreed to receive the report on the appeal decision.

   Why

   The appeal, by Mrs Tracey Price, was against the council's refusal of a garage attached to the side of her home. The papers record that the appeal was dismissed, meaning it failed, in a decision received on 1 August 2023.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report

7. Appeal decision on a bay window at 60 High Street, Bedlinog

   Decided

   The committee agreed to receive the report on the appeal decision.

   Why

   The appeal, by Mr Geoff Thomas, was against the council's refusal of a new front bay window. The papers record that the appeal was dismissed, meaning it failed, in a decision received on 17 July 2023.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report

8. Delegated decisions made by officers, July to September 2023

   Decided

   The committee agreed to receive the list of delegated decisions.

   Why

   Delegated powers let council officers decide applications without a committee vote. The list gives the site, proposal, decision and date for each application decided between 1 July and 30 September 2023.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 1

   Apologies for absence

   Minute

   No apologies for absence were received as all Members were present.

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   No Declarations of Interest were made.

3. 3

   P/23/0131 - Bishop Hedley High School, Gwaunfarren Road, Penydarren, Merthry Tydfil, CF47 9AN

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: In accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Town Planning and Countryside that the application BE APPROVED subject to the Conditions as outlined in the report.

   Minute

   Demolition of existing school and construction of a new school building within the existing site, including sports facilities and associated landscaping, access and engineering works, temporary staff car park, construction compound and classrooms during construction The Planning Officer led the Committee through the application with the assistance of a Power Point Presentation. The following questions were then raised by the Committee on the proposal and were responded to in detail by the Planning Officer: · Land Contamination – Explanation requested on SIR AND PAH – Further details requested on removal / areas being covered over – Would there be monitoring of this · Traffic Impact Assessment – Further details requested – Start / Finish times for pupils – Concerns regarding increase in traffic on Gwaunfarren Road and Galon Uchaf Road and traffic through Penydarren – Junction by Royal Crescent and the need for traffic calming measures – The need to look at drop off spaces · Access to the playing fields – What if an emergency vehicle is needed to be closer as not to have to wheel a casualty down the path to get to an ambulance · The tunnel to both sites – Will there be disabled access throughout the lower part of the school · Changing Rooms for the Rugby Pitch – Will pupils have to walk through the tunnel in playing kit – No changing facilities on the site – Having to walk on tarmac in studded boots · Are there facilities on the other side that could be used –Community usage - Emergency access required for all the Pitches · Will pupils have to cross the road to get to the sports field – What sort of crossing will be in place – Will there be any type of barrier in place to guide pupils to the crossing Resolved that: In accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Town Planning and Countryside that the application BE APPROVED subject to the Conditions as outlined in the report.

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

• Clive Tovey, Vice-ChairIndependentPresent
• Declan Sammon, ChairDowlais and Pant Community IndependentsPresent
• Brent Carter, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Clive Jones, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• David Isaac, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Ernie Galsworthy, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• John Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Lee Davies, Committee MemberIndependentPresent