Latest news with #GreenInfrastructureStatement
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Anger at plan to turn St Florence garage into private annex
The project, located at Woodlark, Fiddlers Lane, St Florence, was given the go-ahead on August 7. The plan involves converting a detached garage and workshop into an annex, along with the construction of a new attached garage with a loft room. The new annex will feature a sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, while the attached garage and loft room will be built on the western side of the main house. The property, a two-storey detached dwelling, is surrounded by residential properties to the east, west, and south, with a sports ground to the north. Access to the site remains unchanged, though the internal driveway will be extended. The development was assessed against several planning policies and was found to comply with all. The project was deemed to have positive social, economic, and environmental impacts, including promoting family cohesion and reusing existing buildings. Located within the settlement boundary of St Florence, the site was considered a sustainable location. The annex conversion will keep the existing footprint and access, with minimal external changes such as glazed doors and roof lights. The extension was described as small-scale and subservient to the main house. The development is not expected to overlook neighbours or negatively affect residential amenity. The highways department gave conditional approval for the project, confirming adequate access, parking, and turning facilities on-site. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water stated that no development should occur within 3 metres of an on-site sewer. The proposal also includes a Green Infrastructure Statement, which outlines biodiversity enhancements such as the planting of three new trees and the installation of three bird boxes. The site is within the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation, but a "no likely significant effect" conclusion was drawn, requiring no further action. The council's ecologist gave conditional approval for the project. No response was received from the public rights of way officer and drainage departments. However, St Florence Community Council raised objections, stating that the "annexe is self-contained with no link to main dwelling," the "unbalanced design of house extension," and "overdevelopment." One third-party representation was received in support of the project, noting that the annex helps support family cohesion. The application was ultimately deemed compliant with local development plan policies and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, leading to its approval.
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- General
- Western Telegraph
Anger at plan to turn St Florence garage into private annex
The project, located at Woodlark, Fiddlers Lane, St Florence, was given the go-ahead on August 7. The plan involves converting a detached garage and workshop into an annex, along with the construction of a new attached garage with a loft room. The new annex will feature a sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, while the attached garage and loft room will be built on the western side of the main house. The property, a two-storey detached dwelling, is surrounded by residential properties to the east, west, and south, with a sports ground to the north. Access to the site remains unchanged, though the internal driveway will be extended. The development was assessed against several planning policies and was found to comply with all. The project was deemed to have positive social, economic, and environmental impacts, including promoting family cohesion and reusing existing buildings. Located within the settlement boundary of St Florence, the site was considered a sustainable location. The annex conversion will keep the existing footprint and access, with minimal external changes such as glazed doors and roof lights. The extension was described as small-scale and subservient to the main house. The development is not expected to overlook neighbours or negatively affect residential amenity. The highways department gave conditional approval for the project, confirming adequate access, parking, and turning facilities on-site. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water stated that no development should occur within 3 metres of an on-site sewer. The proposal also includes a Green Infrastructure Statement, which outlines biodiversity enhancements such as the planting of three new trees and the installation of three bird boxes. The site is within the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation, but a "no likely significant effect" conclusion was drawn, requiring no further action. The council's ecologist gave conditional approval for the project. No response was received from the public rights of way officer and drainage departments. However, St Florence Community Council raised objections, stating that the "annexe is self-contained with no link to main dwelling," the "unbalanced design of house extension," and "overdevelopment." One third-party representation was received in support of the project, noting that the annex helps support family cohesion. The application was ultimately deemed compliant with local development plan policies and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, leading to its approval.
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Plans submitted for nine detached homes in Langstone
The planning application details the construction on land west of Stockwood View, Langstone, which is currently a grass field previously used for agricultural purposes. The proposal by Harmoni Homes includes access, drainage, landscaping, and other associated works, with the area set to connect to the mains sewer. The site, although not in a flood risk area, is within 20 metres of a watercourse, and as the site area exceeds 100 square metres, approval via Sustainable Drainage Approval Body (SAB) is implied. A full tree survey was submitted with the application, assessing 13 records, including four trees, four groups, and five hedgerows. The proposal indicates a low arboricultural impact, with only a 10-metre section of Category C hedgerow H1 to be removed for access. The root protection areas have been adjusted to protect from construction, especially near the southern drainage ditch, while all other retained trees are to be protected with fencing and methods outlined in the Tree Protection Plan. A Green Infrastructure Statement noted the site is primarily arable with low intrinsic value but highlighted important features along the boundaries, such as hedgerows H1–H5 and trees. Ecological sensitivities were also noted, including a confirmed bat roost in Building B1, and the potential for dormice, otters, hedgehogs, common reptiles, and amphibians, albeit with a low likelihood. Avoidance measures have been proposed, including the retention of hedgerows H2–H5, the native hedgerow H3, and all trees. The removed 10 metres of non-native H1 will be mitigated with replacement planting at a 2:1 ratio. Additional compensations include a bat barn to replace the building B1 roost, rain gardens and a SuDS basin, and wildflower and shrub planting. A Noise Impact Assessment placed the site within Noise Exposure Category B, meaning planning permission could be granted with conditions to ensure adequate noise protection. The primary noise source is road traffic from the A48 to the south, and mitigation will include an acoustic façade, appropriate glazing and ventilation strategy. All garden and amenity spaces are within acceptable external noise levels, targeting less than 55 dB LAeq,T. A Transport Statement confirmed that access will be gained from Stockwood View via an existing spur road, avoiding previous concerns over access from the A48. Each unit will include a garage and two driveway spaces, compliant with Newport's Supplementary Planning Guidance, with cycle parking also provided. Forecasted vehicle trips were considered acceptable, and the site is within walking distance to services, schools, and employment. Public transport access is available via A48 bus stops, with no highway safety issues identified. The planning application was received on July 23 and is under consultation until August 22. A formal decision on the application is yet to be issued.
South Wales Argus
05-08-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Plans for EV charging hub in Ebbw Vale
The scheme includes six parking spaces, three dual rapid charge points, solar canopy, CCTV, lighting, fencing, access road and ancillary works. Documents show that this was the preferred site out of three the council looked at for the project. A Green Infrastructure Statement by Systra explained the project. Systra said: 'The proposed development will be situated on vacant land at Lime Avenue, which was selected for its suitability based on a feasibility study conducted in August 2024.' In this study the site at Lime Avenue was compared to sites at Rose Heyworth Park, in Abertillery and at the Rising Sun Industrial Estate in Blaina. Systra said: 'Lime Avenue is the preferred option based on cost effectiveness, central location and size of the site. 'By establishing an EV hub, the council addresses the need for higher quality charging options, enhancing the user experience while promoting better accessibility and inclusivity. 'The hub will feature a canopy with solar cells, a waiting area, and a substation to connect to the electricity network.' They add that the hub will be open all day and night throughout the week and that existing fencing at the site will be 'repurposed ' to secure the current parking area. Systra said: 'The site is situated within the development area known as The Works, which is transforming the former industrial area into a vibrant urban space. 'In the past, the site has been used as a sports area, as evidenced by the abandoned lighting found in the woodland and the presence of cultivated grass species. 'This grassland is low in species diversity, resulting in a relatively low level of biodiversity. 'The woodland as a whole provides valuable habitat for wildlife and serves as an important buffer to the nearby residential area, making it worthy of preservation.'
South Wales Argus
28-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Newport house to become HMO despite objections from locals
The property, located at 26 St Edward Street in Stow Hill, will be transformed from a regular dwelling to a four-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO), despite objections from neighbours. The planning application, 25/0403, was submitted by an applicant named Williams. The change of use will see the ground floor of the property host a lounge, kitchen, and one bedroom, while the first floor will contain three bedrooms and a bathroom. A planning report also detailed that bin and bike storage will be located in the rear amenity space, and a bird box will be installed on the rear boundary as a biodiversity enhancement. The parking situation was a point of contention for locals, with a survey indicating an increased demand for two spaces. However, this was deemed acceptable due to the location's sustainability and access to transport. The Highways Authority raised no formal objection but did require conditions for secure cycle storage. One 120-litre bin will be required for waste management. A waste management plan has been put in place and will remain consistent with the property's previous use. In terms of space standards, all rooms have been confirmed to meet the required size standards, with windows providing adequate light and outlook. The property also offers adequate outdoor amenity space. A check on the saturation of HMOs in the area found that within a 50-metre radius of the site, which includes 46 properties, no other HMOs are registered. This proposal would therefore only represent 2.17 per cent, well below the 15 per cent threshold. The proposal complies with a range of policies, including Policy H8 (Houses in Multiple Occupation), GP2 (Amenity), GP4 (Highways), GP5 (Natural Environment), and other relevant local and national planning policies. Biodiversity was taken into account, with the proposal for a bird box on the rear boundary fence. A full Green Infrastructure Statement was not required due to the scale of the development. Sixteen neighbours objected to the proposal, raising concerns about increased parking leading to congestion, making the area less desirable due to the transient nature of tenants, noise generation, loss of community character and cohesion, more pressure on waste disposal, decline in property values, and the inadequacy of the parking survey for assessing parking needs. They also noted a lack of consideration for electric vehicle charging or visitor/carer parking and raised concerns over room sizes and overcrowding. These objections were all addressed and dismissed through assessments by planning officers, highway officers, and other consultees, concluding the development meets the required planning standards and policy thresholds.
