logo
Pendragon pub plan decision upheld after appeal by applicant

Pendragon pub plan decision upheld after appeal by applicant

At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council's Planning committee on Thursday, June 5 councillors were told of the successful appeal defence by development management team manager Steph Hopkin.
She told councillors of the result as part of a number of updates that are a regular agenda item at committee meeting covering on ongoing appeals and Developments of National Significance.
Mrs Hopkins said: 'On the Penndragon in Oak Street in Abertillery since we wrote of the report the decision has come through following the hearing on April 1.
'I can confirm the case was dismissed and the application for costs was refused.'
Mrs Hopkins told councillors a report on the appeal out would be presented at the next committee meeting.
Concern at how lorries will access proposed solar farm through narrow lane
Town council unanimously opposes controversial depot expansion plans
In September 2023, Thomas Lewis of the Highmore Group lodged a planning application with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council to convert the former Pendragon pub on Oak Street from a vacant care facility back into a public house with rooms for let.
In November 2023 planning officers rejected the proposal, and they judged it to be 'contrary' to policies in the county's Local Development Plan (LDP).
Council planners said that approving the application: 'would generate a level of increased noise and disruption detrimental to the amenity of neighbouring residential properties.'
The building had been a pub until it's closure in 2014 and had at one stage been the home of Abertillery rugby club.
In 2015 a planning application to change its use to a 'mixed use support facility' was granted permission by the authority.
But the care facility closed in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Highmore's lodged his appeal with PEDW last year and a hearing into the issues was held on April 1.
Welsh Government appointed planning inspector Ian Stevens then visited the site on April 2.
Mr Stevens said: 'At the hearing I heard from residents living close by of past issues when the building was a public house, including alcohol-related incidents of noisy and anti-social behaviour outside the premises including late at night, which caused disturbance to residents nearby.
'I appreciate that I do not have any historical records before me of formal
complaints made to relevant bodies.
'However, the residents' anecdotal descriptions are compelling and point to the intimate relationship between the appeal property and adjacent dwellings.'
Mr Steven ssaid that it was suggested at the hearing that these issues could be addressed through the approved premises licence.
But he explained that that a premises licence and planning application are not assessed in the same way.
He was also referred to the other nearby pubs for comparison.
But the flaw in doing this is that a 'direct comparison' cannot be formed because of the different circumstances around each of them.
Mr Stevens said: 'I have found that the effects of development on future occupants in the letting rooms could be managed through internal acoustic treatment.
'However, the comings and goings of patrons including the use of external areas so close to residential properties would, through increased noise and disturbance compared with its existing lawful use, cause unreasonable harm to living conditions of nearby occupiers.'
Due to this he believed the proposal is contrary to policy in the Local Development Plan.
Mr Stevens said: 'For the reasons given and having regard to all other matters raised, I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.'
He also dismissed the appeal for costs.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kempton Park still at risk of closure as developers have option to build houses on famous track until 2030
Kempton Park still at risk of closure as developers have option to build houses on famous track until 2030

Scottish Sun

time4 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Kempton Park still at risk of closure as developers have option to build houses on famous track until 2030

PARK LIFE Kempton Park still at risk of closure as developers have option to build houses on famous track until 2030 KEMPTON PARK is still at risk of being closed and knocked down for housing. The Jockey Club announced in January 2017 they were selling off the racecourse to developers in a bid to raise £100 million. 2 Kempton Park has been at risk of redevelopment since 2017 Credit: PA 2 Builders Redrow have exclusive rights to buy the land at Kempton Credit: Dan Charity But the track was given a reprieve when those plans hit the buffers in the face of opposition from Spelthorne Council and a number of high-profile racing industry figures. So the Jockey Club sold an 'option to purchase' to builders Redrow in September 2018, Sunracing can reveal, meaning they can buy the land for development during a set timeframe whenever they want for a pre-agreed price. The expiry date on the agreement is in 2028, though it can be extended a further two years if Redrow express interest in going ahead with the purchase of the 230-acre site, either in its entirety or part of it. The Jockey Club has not hidden its desire to sell off land at Kempton for housing to raise much needed funds, and in February 2020 they announced revised plans to develop on part of the site which would not involve demolishing the home of the King George. But those plans were also scuppered by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Jockey Club remains in a deep financial hole, with the last set of accounts published last summer showing they have around £54 million of debt. Spelthorne Council said eight years ago the site was unlikely to be considered for housing eight as it was deemed 'strongly performing' green belt land. But the new Labour government has relaxed planning laws to encourage house building, with the aim to build 1.5 million new homes before the next election. The Jockey Club dismissed recent speculation on social media that the racecourse was to be closed at the end of next year, but there is a desperate need for housing in Surrey and Redrow is still interested in developing the site, for all they have yet to trigger their option to buy the land. A Redrow spokesperson said: 'We have an agreement with the Jockey Club to promote Kempton Park for development, lasting until 2030. 'Since this agreement was made, we have been reviewing whether the site, or parts of it, could assist with the delivery of much needed new housing in Surrey.' The Jockey Club said: "Since 2018, Redrow have had the exclusive right to promote Kempton Park as a potential site for residential development, lasting until 2028. "Since the agreement came into effect it has been entirely normal procedure for there to be ongoing discussions to see if the site, or parts of it, could play a part in addressing the need for houses in the local area. "Given the recent changes in wider planning policy, it is no surprise that those discussions are continuing, but in real terms there has been no change in Kempton Park's status.' FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

Plans for huge solar farm will 'spoil views of Malvern Hills', residents say
Plans for huge solar farm will 'spoil views of Malvern Hills', residents say

ITV News

time4 hours ago

  • ITV News

Plans for huge solar farm will 'spoil views of Malvern Hills', residents say

Plans for a 271-acre solar farm in Worcestershire will 'ruin views of the Malvern Hills ', according to concerned residents. The proposed development would span countryside near Powick and would be spread over chunks of land around the main A road in the area, the A449. If it gets the go ahead, the solar farm will cover an area equivalent to around 170 football pitches. It is understood by ITV News that three different farmers would be required to lease their land to the company behind the proposals for it to be feasible. Concerned locals from Preserve Powick Landscape and Nature (PPLAN) say the plans will destroy the landscape, be damaging for wildlife and increase fire risk. They say they are also worried about the increase in traffic and noise pollution in the area. Pictures from SWNS The group has put up signs around the site and recently they marched through the affected fields in an attempt to halt the proposals. Speaking to ITV News Central, campaigner Andrea Trickett-Born said: "It's habitat loss, it's views to and from our beautiful Malvern Hills. It's the road works on the A449 which is a single carriage way road, which are going to take place for seven months plus. "But mainly, our beautiful countryside and losing this beautiful vista. If Covid has taught us anything it is to preserve our green spaces." Meanwhile, Jo Loader said hundreds of thousands of people visit the Malvern Hills each year and they want to protect the area for everyone to be able to enjoy for years to come. "We want to preserve the views, they are really special", she added. RWE Renewables UK Solar & Storage Ltd, the company behind the plans, said: "Providing a sustainable, secure home-grown source of clean electricity is essential to the UK's power security and to helping meet the Government's Clean Power 2030 targets - solar power is low cost, easy and quick to deploy while the land can be returned to its original agricultural use at the end of the project's lifecycle. "We appreciate there will be contrary opinions, and as such engagement and opportunity to encourage and listen to feedback is a cornerstone of RWE's approach to any project, including at Chapel Hill Solar Farm. The project equally has its support – during consultation in the Autumn of 2023 over 54% of feedback respondents stated that they supported the proposal for Chapel Hill Solar Farm. "Feedback as a whole has been positive, with a widespread recognition of the need for renewable energy to help tackle climate change, the ecological crisis and the UK's energy security." It added: "The batteries we propose to use are lithium-ion batteries which are exactly the same as in your mobile phone. It is safe technology. The batteries we propose to use already have significant safety measures built into them, in line with national fire chief battery guidance, that help prevent the risk of fire in the first place." A decision on whether plans will move forward is expected in the autumn.

Industrial estate with 13 business units planned in Powys
Industrial estate with 13 business units planned in Powys

Powys County Times

time5 hours ago

  • Powys County Times

Industrial estate with 13 business units planned in Powys

PLANS for a mini industrial estate that could boost the local economy in the south western tip of the county have been lodged with Powys council planners. The application for by Mr and Mrs Evans is to set up 13 commercial storage and light industrial yard compounds which would help 'small business development' at land off the former Haul road west of Brynygroes, in Ystradgynlais. The scheme would also see compound security fencing, access gates for each of the units. The site is near a development of 110 houses which are currently being built at Brynygroes. Planning agent Richard Banks of Evans Banks Planning Limited explained the proposal in a planning statement. Mr Banks said: 'The site is capable of delivering 13 small / modest commercial plots suitable for low-level starter and small businesses in search of a small compound to store plant and machinery or to provide storage and distribution. 'The proposals would be seen as utilising the existing haul road for all access in very much the same manner as the former opencast site would have regularly required HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicles) access to and from that development. 'Multiple daily lorry movements to the opencast site were commonplace.' Mr Banks explains that the applicants know that there is a demand in the area for these types of units. He said: 'The applicants have experienced such small business demand for modest storage and light industrial space at their facility at Woodlands Business Park at Ystradgynlais. 'A total of 210 storage containers have been placed on plots three and six at the business park, and the take-up and demand for that new storage facility has been overwhelming. 'The applicants are of the firm opinion that a uniformly laid out series of small commercial compounds at the Haul Road site would provide for small business to have a modest base at Ystradgynlais to store vehicles, plant or other commercial equipment.' Mr Banks adds that the applicants have already discussed the proposal with county planners last year and said that they 'broadly support' the principle of such development. Mr Banks said: 'The development of the site will ensure a deliverable source of future employment land for the Ystradgynlais growth area in which it lies, which has seen an under supply of commercial opportunities prior to and since the adoption of the current LDP (Local Development Plan). 'The development of the site will help to redress this imbalance.' A decision on the application is expected by July 31.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store