Minutes of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 11 October 2017 after the Council Meeting in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Abergavenny
Present: Cllr D Simcock (Mayor)
Cllrs M Groucutt, M Hickman, S Head, G Jones, N Tatam, Ms S Dodd, Mrs T Davies, L Van de Vyver and T Thomas
In attendance: The Acting Town Clerk
1. Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Mrs P Simcock, F Morgan, Mrs M Harris, R Harris and T Konieczny
2. There were no declarations of interest.
3. The following applications were recommended for approval:
(i) DC/2017/01005: Planning Permission: Installation of a roof-light window (Velux conservation) in a slate roof at the rear of property size 550cm x 978xm. Chapel Cottage, Chapel Lane, Abergavenny NP7 7BT
(ii) DC/2017/01103: Listed Building Consent: Construction of internal staircase between GF and FF. The Britannia Inn, 51 Frogmore Street, Abergavenny NP7 5AR subject to the views of the Conservation Officer
(iii) (DC/2017/01121: Non Material Amendment: Non material amendment to previous application DC/2017/00437 – insertion of small window with obscure glazing to ground floor shower room. 121 Park Crescent, Abergavenny NP7 5TN
4. The following application was recommended for refusal on the reasons given below:
(i) DC/2016/01342: Planning Permission: Proposed conversion, extension and mansard roof extension of the property to form 21 residential units with onsite cycle and vehicular parking, refuse and amenity facilities. Newbridge House, Tudor Street, Abergavenny NP7 5HU
Newbridge House lies within the Abergavenny Conservation Area. There are other development opportunities adjacent to the site (the former Police Station and Magistrates Court) and this scheme will set an important precedent in terms of approach and quality.
The Council agrees with the Abergavenny Civic Society that “The applicants’ response to the strongly critical Design Commission review……….is insufficient”
We also support the following points made in the Design Commission’s review.
- A variety of options should be considered before settling on the decision to reuse and extend for exclusively residential purposes. Other options might include demolition and rebuild or different uses.
- “Aspect – rooms on the south side of the building will enjoy good views over the park and will benefit from sunlight but the north-facing apartments would not benefit from either. Single-sided south facing apartments may suffer from overheating. Dual aspect apartments would allow all apartments to benefit and would eliminate the dark interior corridor.”
- “Early involvement of an environmental design or building services engineer is encouraged……..A well-designed environmental strategy will maximise quality and comfort conditions for residents as well as minimise energy and resource use. It is not good practice to address sustainability and environmental design after a planning application has been submitted.”
- “For a building reuse project, effectively improving the performance of the building fabric is a critical issue.”
- “Early involvement of a landscape architect is encouraged……A landscape strategy for the site should respond to the local authority’s Green Infrastructure policy.”
- Why is no affordable housing being provided in the development?
Overall the Design Commission believes “their are crucial aspects of the scheme which have not been considered or tested in enough detail to have reached an appropriate solution. This means that opportunities to add value have been missed.”
Unless we have imaginative, comprehensive plans for “zones” or “quarters” within the town, haphazard decisions about individual plots will compromise the best use of neighbouring plots and prevent the creation of a harmonious street scene.
A rushed or careless decision on Newbridge House would set a bad precedent for upcoming applications on neighbouring sites.
5. Correspondence: Notification Appeal against Planning Application DC/2016/01380: LBC1:Removal of existing first floor above front room. Removal of existing and creation of new internal walls. New glazed door to front of property. Removal of existing signage. Alter colour scheme of facades. The Britannia Inn, 51 Frogmore Street, Abergavenny NP7 5AR has been delayed to 29thDecember 2017 was received and noted
The meeting ended at 8:40pm
