Latest news with #SupplementaryPlanningGuidance
South Wales Argus
12-08-2025
- 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.
North Wales Live
26-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
The Gwynedd village where almost half of properties are second homes or holiday lets
Curbs on the use of second homes and holiday lets in Eryri will provide "more control" over the area's housing stock, planning bosses say. It comes as figures show almost half of homes in one village are used as second homes or holiday lets. An Article 4 Direction came into force in the Eryri National Park on June 1, 2025, removing permitted rights over the change of use of main homes to second homes or short term holiday lets, and certain mixed uses. It also removed permitted rights over the change of use from second homes to short term holiday lets, and vice versa. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Now, Eryri National Park's planning and access committee has approved recommendations over its Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance [SPG], managing the use of dwellings as holiday homes, during a meeting on Wednesday, June 25. The SPG was needed to identify a threshold figure for the percentages of permitted properties, to be reviewed annually. The document also provides guidance to help those submitting planning applications, and helps planning officers and park authority members to determine applications relating to the change of use of main and second homes and holiday lets. A figure of 15% had been considered "appropriate" as a threshold figure limiting the number of holiday or second homes in specific areas. In Eryri, the level currently stands at 17.4%, for the whole park. However, 15% for individual areas was said to "reflect policy frameworks" used by other authorities. Data showed the percentage of second homes and short term lets per community council areas. The highest was in Aberdyfi, where 45% of homes were second homes or holiday lets. Among the highest were: Beddgelert at 34.4%, Llanfair; 28.4%, Capel Curig; 24.8%, Betws Garmon; 22%, Betws y Coed; 20.8%, Pennal; 20.6%, Arthog; 19.9%, Brithdir and Llanfachraeth; 19%, Bro Garmon; 19.2%, Llanbedr; 18.9, Talsarnau; 18%, Abermaw; 17.9%, Llanelltyd; 16.9, Dolwyddelan; 16.7% and Harlech; 16.5%. Among the lowest were: Dolgarrog; 1.9%, Llanrwst; 2.5%, Llanddeiniolen; 3.1%, Llanfairfechan; 3.2%, Llangywair; 3.3%, Aber; 3.3%, Llandygai; 3.4%, Penmaenmawr; 4.6%, Conwy; 4.8%, and Bala; 4.9%. During the discussion over the threshold, Cllr Edgar Owen, asked: "So, in Bala, where it's about 4% - does that mean they can now build more holiday homes? "Say, if we build one hundred affordable homes, in addition to what's there, does that mean they can build 15 holiday homes as well? "The number for the park as a whole is 18% so we should stop now, shouldn't we?" Geraint Evans, Planning Officer (Policy), said: "It is important to remember that the guidance recommends with new homes, if they aren't affordable, there should be a requirement set on them so they can't be used as second homes or holiday lets. "If there were 100 homes in Bala, the percentage would go down, because they would not be able to be used as new holiday lets. The percentage in total would reduce." Cllr Elwyn Jones queried the rise and fall of figures in areas, and asked if there would be a review. Director of Planning and Partnerships Keira Sweenie said a review in a year would be "very sensible". She said: "Whatever percentage we agree today, nobody knows what the impact of the guidance will be. "What is important is that we are in a better situation than before Article 4, because, at least now we have some level of control. "There are areas where the numbers will go up and down, depending on trends and people's needs." She added the threshold figure may need to be lowered or raised in the future, and noted that it was important to find "balance" with regard to the visitor economy in the park. She said: "We have not looked at this problem before, the most important thing is, what we have now is an improvement." It was hoped the measures would help bring the numbers down across the park. It was also noted that each application was "judged on its own merit" and that the threshold percentage was only part of the planning considerations.
