The Newport Council Planning Committee met to discuss several planning applications, and to note recent appeal decisions. The report pack included planning applications for developments at Monbank Development Site, Port Road, Maesglas Retail Park and Brynglas Road.

Development Management: Planning Application Schedule

The Planning Committee was scheduled to consider a schedule of planning applications. According to the report pack, the committee has delegated powers to make decisions on planning applications, assessing them against planning policy and considering consultation responses. The report pack stated that decisions are expected to benefit the city by allowing good quality development in appropriate locations and resisting poor quality development in the wrong locations. The committee could have granted or refused planning permission, or decided to carry out a site visit.

Monbank Development Site, Cardiff Road

The committee was scheduled to discuss a full planning application for a major development at Monbank Development Site, Cardiff Road. Monmouthshire Housing Association sought permission for the construction of 42 dwellings, along with landscape planting and associated works. All of the residential units were proposed as affordable housing¹.

The application site consists of two parcels of land separated by a section of highway. The smaller, southern parcel of land was most recently used by Network Rail as a storage area/railway sidings. The larger, northern parcel consists of a grassed area with a small number of young trees.

The southern parcel was proposed to accommodate 12 residential units, consisting of four dwelling houses and eight flats. The northern parcel would accommodate the remaining 30 residential units, arranged with three access points coming off Abberley Hall Road.

The planning officer's report noted that the application site is located within the defined settlement boundary where there is a presumption in favour of development. The officer's report stated that the proposed use for residential development within the defined urban boundary and within a sustainable location raises no objection.

The planning officer's report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and a section 106 legal agreement.

Unit 10 to 11 Port Road, Maesglas Retail Park

The committee was scheduled to discuss a full planning application for an extension at Unit 10 to 11 Port Road, Maesglas Retail Park. T Brewer sought permission for an extension to provide additional storage space.

The application site comprises a large building with a commercial/industrial appearance. The immediate area has a prevailing industrial/commercial character.

The extension was proposed to be constructed to the rear of the building, projecting beyond the side of the existing building. The extension was proposed with a maximum footprint of 22.5M x 85.3M, with a height to eaves of 10.1M and a ridge height of 12.2M. The front elevation of the extension would include four openings for HGVs, with the loading bay relocated to this area.

The planning officer's report stated that the application site is located within the defined settlement boundary, and that the application site benefits from an existing lawful use for wholesale retail of carpets/flooring. The officer's report stated that the proposed development would not result in an additional retail use nor would it result in an out of town retail use that would be well suited to a location within either a town or district centre.

The planning officer's report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

28 Brynglas Road

The committee was scheduled to discuss a full planning application for a change of use at 28 Brynglas Road. G Jones sought permission for the change of use from a 3 bedroom dwelling to a 5 bedroom house in multiple occupation² (HMO).

The application property is a mid-terrace dwelling set over two storeys. The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character, although there are some commercial uses nearby.

The proposed layout includes a hallway, communal living area, bedroom, kitchen and shower room at ground floor. At first floor, an existing bedroom is to be sub-divided to provide four bedrooms and a new shower room.

The planning officer's report stated that the main planning considerations of this application are the potential impacts of the change of use on parking provision and highway safety, flood risk, as well as the impact on the character and amenity of the surrounding area and the residential amenities of existing and future occupiers.

The planning officer's report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

Appeal Decisions

The committee was scheduled to note the outcome of recent planning appeals. The report pack included details of an enforcement appeal and a tree preservation order prosecution.

The enforcement appeal related to Castle Farm, Bishton Road, where an enforcement notice had been issued requiring the building housing vending machines for the sale of milk and milkshakes to be locked and secured outside of specified hours. The appeal was dismissed, but planning permission was granted subject to conditions with more restricted hours.

The tree preservation order prosecution related to 10 Mons Close, where unauthorised works had been carried out to two trees protected by a tree preservation order[^4]. A £16,000 fine and £100,000 costs were awarded to the council.