The Development Control Committee of Bridgend Council scheduled a meeting to discuss several planning applications, appeals, and policy guidance. The committee was also expected to review the draft Outdoor Recreation Facilities Supplementary Planning Guidance and the Annual Monitoring Report. The meeting was scheduled to be held in a hybrid format, with some members and officers attending in person at the Council Chamber, and others attending remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Data Centre Campus, Waterton Industrial Estate

A hybrid planning application from VDC CWL4 Limited for a data centre campus at the former Ford Engine Plant on the Waterton Industrial Estate was scheduled to be discussed. The application seeks outline planning permission for the development of the data centre campus (Use Class B8¹) including site preparation, new buildings and electrical substations, and full planning permission for the first data centre and all associated works.

The report pack stated that the applicant, Vantage Data Centers Limited designs, develops and operates secure and sustainable data centres and operates in fourteen countries, with a significant presence in South Wales since 2010, with smaller campuses in Newport and St. Athan. The proposed Bridgend Campus would be approximately four times the capacity and size of the existing Newport Campus.

The report pack also stated that data centres are necessary to create and improve digital infrastructure and are considered critical economic infrastructure by the UK Government.

The report pack noted that the scheme is classed as EIA development² and is accompanied by an Environmental Statement.

The report pack stated that the overall development is expected to generate approximately 1,500 FTE³ on-site jobs during the construction phase, which is expected to last for at least 15 years, and approximately 950 jobs at operational stage.

The report pack also noted that the applicant is committed to training and skills development in conjunction with the Welsh Centre of Excellence at Newport, Bridgend Council and Bridgend College to provide the highly skilled workforce that the development will need during construction and operation.

The report pack included the following statement about the synergies between Brocastle, Parc Afon Ewenni and the Former Ford Site:

In addition, the obvious synergies between Brocastle, Parc Afon Ewenni and the Former Ford Site represent a holistic development opportunity, collectively known as the Southern Bridgend Gateway, that will contribute to the delivery of the Bridgend Replacement Local Development Plan's Regeneration and Sustainable Growth Strategy.

Anemometer Masts, Land East of Maesteg and Land at Pwll Yr Lwrch

The committee was scheduled to discuss two separate applications from Pennant Walters Ltd for the installation of 90m high anemometer masts for a temporary period of up to three years. One application relates to land at Cynhordy 1.6km east of Maesteg and 2km west of Pont-y-Rhyl, and the other relates to land at Pwll Yr Lwrch (1.7km to east of Maesteg and 3km west of Blaengarw).

The report pack stated that the masts would gather accurate wind resource data to support the environmental impact assessment, turbine procurement process and inform output figures, as part of a wind farm development process.

The report pack noted that Maesteg Town Council did not support the applications, on the basis of it being a precursor to another wind farm which will encase the valley and continue to erode the surrounding environment.

Two Storey Side Extension, 18 Oak Tree Drive, Newton, Porthcawl

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application from Mrs S Frost for a two-storey side extension, hip to gable to rear single storey extension roof and new front porch at 18 Oak Tree Drive, Newton, Porthcawl.

The report pack noted that this application is a resubmission of a previously refused application (24/776/FUL).

Appeals

The committee was scheduled to note the appeals received and decided since the last meeting. The appeals received were:

• Appeal No. 2032 P/24/274/FUL - Erection of boundary fence at 11 Kingfisher Close Brackla.
• Appeal No. 2038 P/24/631/FUL - Single storey rear and side extension, rear dormer with 2 x Juliet balconies, alterations to roof ridge and porch (part retrospective) at 103 Heol Las North Cornelly.

The appeals decided were:

• Appeal No. 2021 P/24/21/FUL - 1no. Single storey bungalow: Land to the Side of 1 Ger Y Bont Bridgend - Dismissed.
• Appeal No. 2029 P/24/424/FUL - Single storey extension to front of dwelling: 123 Heol Y Bardd Bridgend - Dismissed.
• Appeal No. 2030 P/25/78/FUL - First floor side extension and porch extension to front elevation: 86 Tremains Court Bridgend - Dismissed.
• Appeal No. 2020 P/24/2/OUT - Outline Planning Application for one Block of 2 Bedroom Apartments (With Approval For Access) and Highway Improvement Works: Parcel B Land North of Underhill Cottages Tondu Road Bridgend - Dismissed.

Draft Outdoor Recreation Facilities Supplementary Planning Guidance

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of the public consultation responses on the draft Outdoor Recreation Facilities Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) document. The report pack noted that the adoption of the SPG would enable effective implementation of the Outdoor Recreation Facilities policies within the adopted Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP).

The report pack stated that the revised Outdoor Recreation Facilities SPG provides updated, specific guidance on:

• How developers should calculate the required quantity of the five recreational facility typologies defined by Policy COM10 to be provided onsite;
• How developers should calculate the split between on-site provision and a financial contribution for the enhancement/provision of off-site outdoor recreational facilities, if required;
• How to calculate a suitable financial contribution to cover the long-term maintenance of either/both on-site and off-site outdoor recreation facilities;
• The use of planning obligations (via s106 agreements⁴) to secure ORF provision off-site;
• Information on the Council's accessibility benchmark standards for each outdoor recreation facility typology;
• Design guidance for the five typologies of outdoor recreational facility to encourage best practice when providing new facilities on-site;
• Information on the Council's preferred approach to the management and maintenance of on-site outdoor recreation facilities; and,
• How issues relating to development viability may be considered in respect of ORF provision.

The report pack stated that a total of four representations were received on the Outdoor Recreation Facilities SPG during the consultation period, and that two changes were made to the draft SPG document as a result.

Annual Monitoring Report

The committee was scheduled to receive the findings of the Replacement Local Development Plan Annual Monitoring Report 2025. The report pack stated that completion of the Annual Monitoring Report is a statutory requirement and provides an important mechanism for evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of the adopted Replacement Local Development Plan.

The report pack noted that the RLDP is in the early stages of implementation, and that while housing delivery to date has been below the adopted trajectory, this is not a significant concern.

The report pack also noted that the AMR identifies a number of contextual changes influencing plan delivery that lie outside the direct control of the LPA, including the Planning (Wales) Bill, the planned introduction of the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) for South-East Wales, the recent update to Technical Advice Note (TAN) 15: Development and Flood Risk, targeted updates to Planning Policy Wales (PPW), the pace of economic growth, the climate and nature emergencies, and the production of four SPG documents.

Training Log

The committee was scheduled to note a report advising members of up and coming training initiatives.