Planning Committee

The Planning Committee approved two applications and agreed that a third needed prior approval, which it then granted. The applications covered steps at the Italian Gardens in Pontypool, a new 3G pitch at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw in Trevethin, and a 20m telecoms pole on Caldicot Way, Cwmbran. Several members declared personal interests in some items as members of local community councils.

1. Improving steps and path at the Italian Gardens, Pontypool

   Decided

   Members unanimously approved the application, subject to the conditions in the report.

   Why

   Officers said an earlier scheme had proposed a handrail, but it was judged visually unacceptable given the listed status of the steps, which had no handrail before. Officers said a ramp on the other side of the gate would remain, giving an alternative route for people with access needs. The ward member said she was pleased to see the proposal, which would be a big improvement to the area.

   Based on the minutes

2. Upgrading the pitch at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw, Trevethin

   Decided

   Members unanimously approved the application, subject to the conditions in the report.

   Why

   The application is to replace the existing 'redgra' pitch with a 3G artificial grass pitch, a synthetic grass surface, with fencing, floodlights and related works. Members said the facility was much needed and would be a great benefit to the community. Officers said they did not know whether the surface was suitable for rugby, as pitch uses are outside planning control, and that Members could ask the Council's Education Department. Officers said the floodlights would be used only when needed.

   Based on the minutes

3. A 20m telecoms pole on Caldicot Way, Cwmbran

   Decided

   Prior approval is a limited check the council makes on certain developments, rather than a full planning application. Members unanimously agreed that prior approval was required and granted it.

   Why

   The nearest property is 22m away. Planning Policy Wales says councils should not consider the health effects of mobile telecommunications equipment where a development meets those guidelines, and this one does.

   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

   Attendance and Apologies/ Presenoldeb ac Ymddiheuriadau

   Minute

   1.1 Apologies were received from Councillor Norma Parrish.

2. 2

   Declarations of interest/Datganiadau o fudd

   Minute

   2.1 The following interests were declared: · Councillor Stuart Ashley declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 as a Member of Cwmbran Community Council who had been consulted on the application. · Councillor Jon Horlor declared a personal interest in agenda items 4 and 5 as a Member of Pontypool Community Council who had been consulted on the applications. He also declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 as the ward member. · Councillor Gaynor James declared a personal interest in agenda items 4 and 5 as a Member of Pontypool Community Council who had been consulted on the applications. · Councillor Jon James declared a personal interest in agenda items 4 and 5 as a Member of Pontypool Community Council who had been consulted on the applications.

3. 3

   Minutes of Planning Committee - 10/08/2023 / Cofnodion Pwyllgor Cynllunio - 10/08/2023

   Minute

   3.1 The minutes were confirmed as a true and accurate record.

   Papers: Minutes , 10/08/2023 Planning Committee
4. 4

   Planning Application - 23/P/0106/LBC / Cais Cynllunio - 23/P/0106/LBC

   Minute

   4.1 The Senior Planner presented the report to Members in detail and displayed photographs and plans of the site. 4.2 Following questions from Members, Officers gave the following replies: · The application was to improve the existing steps, there was an existing ramp at the other side of the Memorial Gate would remain which provided access for disabled people. · The previous scheme submitted proposed to install a handrail, however it was deemed visually unacceptable and given the listed status of the steps and the fact that the existing steps did not have a handrail, Officers felt that that a handrail was not necessary, and the proposed scheme was acceptable. For anyone with accessibility issues there was an alternative route via the ramp. 4.3 The ward member commented that she was pleased to see the proposal which would provide a big improvement to the existing area. 4.4 Members unanimously agreed to approve the application subject to the conditions laid out in the report and to refer the application to CADW.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: 23-P-0106-LBC
5. 5

   Planning Application - 23/P/0264/FUL / Cais Cynllunio - 23/P/0264/FUL

   Minute

   5.1 The Team Leader, Planning Applications presented his report whilst sharing his screen, displaying photographs and plans of the site. 5.2 Following questions from Members, Officers responded as follows: · Officers did not know whether the 3G artificial grass was rugby friendly as the uses of the pitch were outside the Planning remit, Members could contact the Council’s Education Department who would hold the information. · The floodlights would only be turned on as and when required. 5.3 Members commented that the facility was much needed and would be a great benefit for the community. 5.4 Members unanimously agreed to approve the application subject to the conditions laid out in the report.

   Papers: 23.P.0264.FUL
6. 6

   Planning Application - 23/P/0449/PNT / Cais Cynllunio - 23/P/0449/PNT

   Minute

   6.1 The Principal Planner presented his report and displayed photographs and plans of the site. 6.2 Following a Member question, the Principal Planner confirmed that the nearest property was 22m away and the application was accompanied by a Declaration of Conformity with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) as required by Planning Policy Wales. Planning Policy states that planning authorities should not consider the health aspects of mobile telecommunications equipment if the development meets the ICNIRP guidelines which this application does. 6.3 Members unanimously agreed that prior approval was required and was granted.

   Papers: 23.P.0449.PNT

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.

• Stuart Ashley: Personal interest on Planning Application - 23/P/0449/PNT / Cais Cynllunio - 23/P/0449/PNT

  Member of Cwmbran Community Council, which was consulted on the application.

• Jon Horlor: Personal interest on Planning Application - 23/P/0106/LBC / Cais Cynllunio - 23/P/0106/LBC

  Member of Pontypool Community Council, which was consulted on the application.

• Jon Horlor: Personal interest on Planning Application - 23/P/0264/FUL / Cais Cynllunio - 23/P/0264/FUL

  Member of Pontypool Community Council, which was consulted on the application, and ward member.

• Gaynor James: Personal interest on Planning Application - 23/P/0106/LBC / Cais Cynllunio - 23/P/0106/LBC

  Member of Pontypool Community Council, which was consulted on the application.

• Gaynor James: Personal interest on Planning Application - 23/P/0264/FUL / Cais Cynllunio - 23/P/0264/FUL

  Member of Pontypool Community Council, which was consulted on the application.

• Jon James: Personal interest on Planning Application - 23/P/0106/LBC / Cais Cynllunio - 23/P/0106/LBC

  Member of Pontypool Community Council, which was consulted on the application.

• Jon James: Personal interest on Planning Application - 23/P/0264/FUL / Cais Cynllunio - 23/P/0264/FUL

  Member of Pontypool Community Council, which was consulted on the application.

• Norma Parrish, ChairLabourSent apologies
• Alan Slade, Committee MemberReform UKPresent
• Alfie Best, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Chris Tew, Committee MemberThe Independent GroupAbsent
• Gaynor James, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Janet Jones, Committee MemberTorfaen Independent GroupPresent
• Jon Horlor, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Jon James, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Karl Gauden, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Mark Jones, Committee MemberThe Independent GroupPresent
• Steven Evans, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Stuart Ashley, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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