The Torfaen Council Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, to discuss an amendment to the Scheme of Delegation for Planning Matters, and two planning applications, one for a solar farm and energy storage facility at Pentre Bach, and another for an extension at 64 Cwmavon Road, Blaenavon. The meeting will be a hybrid, with attendees at the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Pontypool, and via Microsoft Teams.

Planning Application - Land at Pentre Bach

The committee will be provided with a report about planning application 24/P/0120/DNS, concerning a proposed ground-mounted photo voltaic solar farm and energy storage facility, together with associated equipment, infrastructure and ancillary works at Land At Pentre Bach.

This application is considered a Development of National Significance¹ and the determining body for this application is Planning and Environment Wales (PEDW), not Torfaen Council. The report pack includes a copy of the Local Impact Report (LIR) that was submitted to PEDW for the inspector to consider. The LIR requested additional information regarding:

• The impact of construction traffic
• The policy justification of such development within the green belt²
• Surface water flooding
• An assessment of the visual impact from the Castell Bwlch public house and surrounding area. In response to the above, the applicant has submitted several documents, including an updated Flood Consequence Assessment and Drainage Strategy, an Ecological Impact Assessment, a Highway Technical Note, and a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA). The proposal has also been amended to address concerns raised in the LIR.

The report notes that the council's Planning Policy Officers believe that the proposal fails to demonstrate why the loss of these fields within the Green Wedge/Belt is acceptable given the Green Wedge/Belt criteria. The report also notes that the Highways Officer has requested clarification from the applicant that only 3.5 tonnes vans, or lower, will use the lanes/turning areas.

The report concludes that:

The submitted additional information has sought to address a number of matters raised within the submitted LIR. It has addressed some of the highway's matters, but not all, and the additional LIVA photomontages and assessment provide additional information but do not address the concerns raised or justify the location as required by policy. The proposed changes are minor and along with the additional information do not alter the view expressed within the LIR that proposal would have a negative impact. It will be for the Inspector to weigh the planning balance between the positives and negatives of the proposal.

Amendment to Scheme of Delegation for Planning Matters

The committee will be asked to consider a report about proposed changes to the Scheme of Delegation for Planning Matters. The report notes that the council's organisational structure has changed, and the Scheme for Delegation for Planning Matters requires updating to reflect the change.

According to the report, as a result of the new organisational structure of the council, the role of Strategic Director, Economy and Environment has been removed and the functions of that role have been redistributed. The Joint Director, Neighbourhoods and Environment is now responsible for the functions previously held by the Strategic Director, Economy and Environment.

The report recommends that the Scheme of Delegation be amended to authorise the Joint Director to exercise the functions previously held by the Strategic Director.

Planning Application - 64 Cwmavon Road, Blaenavon

The committee will be provided with a report about planning application 25/P/0433/HH, concerning a part two, part single storey extension at rear (demolish existing conservatory) and provision of 2 rear dormers at 64 Cwmavon Road, Blaenavon.

The report notes that the applicant, Mr Lee Redman, is a member of staff within the Planning Service.

The report notes that the Council's Principal Heritage and Planning Officer raises no objection following receipt of amended plans and considers that the character of the area would be preserved.

The report recommends that the application be approved with conditions.