Planning, Regulatory and Licensing

It approved a 42-home development on land south of Swansea Road, and it agreed to visit the former hospital site before deciding on a 30-flat application there. It also received the report listing decisions officers made under delegated powers in December 2023.

1. Former hospital site, High Street: 30 flats

   Decided

   The committee agreed to hold a fact-finding site visit before deciding the application.

   Why

   The application proposes redeveloping the former hospital to create 30 self-contained flats, with one and two bedrooms. A member asked for a site visit because objections had been received, and asked for Engineering Department staff to attend because of parking concerns. A site visit lets members see the land for themselves before they decide.

   Based on the minutes

2. Land south of Swansea Road: 42 homes with new access

   Decided

   The committee approved the application, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

   Why

   Members asked the planning officer about concerns from the public consultation and the objections received. They also asked about building on an old coal tip (a heap of waste from past mining), including the risk of land sinking, and about reptiles on the site and the removal of shale, a soft rock, from the site. Members further asked what measures would reduce instability and whether the scheme would include amenities such as a playground.

   Based on the minutes

3. Delegated decisions, December 2023

   Decided

   The committee received the delegated decisions report.

   Why

   Delegated powers let council officers decide certain matters without a committee vote. This report lists those decisions for 1 to 31 December 2023.

   Based on the minutes

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

   Apologies for absence were received from Councillor B Carter and Councillor S Thomas.

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   No Declarations of Interest were made.

3. 3

   P/23/0196 - Former Merthyr Tydfil, General Hospital, High Street, Merthyr Tydfil

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: A Fact Finding Site Visit be convened in relation to this application.

   Minute

   Proposed Redevelopment to Create 30 No (1 and 2 bedroom) Self Contained Apartments The Planning Officer led the Committee through the application with the assistance of a Power Point Presentation. A Member then proposed that a Site Visit be convened as objections had been received. A further requested was also made that representatives of the Engineering Department be present at this Meeting due to Parking concerns together with appropriate Officers. Resolved that: A Fact Finding Site Visit be convened in relation to this application.

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report
4. 4

   P/23/0197 - Land adjoining (South of) Swansea Road to the East of Waunbant Court and North West of Old Winchfawr Road Swansea Road, Merthyr Tydfil

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 MemberLabourSent apologies
• Clive Jones, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• David Isaac, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Ernie Galsworthy, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• John Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Lee Davies, Committee MemberIndependentPresent