A DEVELOPER was granted permission to build a new home in Penmaenmawr, despite opposition from local councillors.
Mr Gareth Davies applied to Conwy County Council’s planning department, seeking permission to build a house at land at Bron Haul, Fernbrook Road.
Officers advised the committee to grant planning permission, despite opposition from the town council and local county councillor Anne McCaffrey.
Penmaenmawr Town Council said the plans would be overbearing, overlooking, and out of character. The town council also had concerns about pedestrians, road safety, and construction vehicles.
Mr Davies sought permission to erect the split-level design detached four-bedroom house with new vehicle access and parking off Fernbrook Road.
Speaking at the planning committee meeting at Bodlondeb, Cllr Anne McCaffrey said she objected to the plans.
“National and local policy is to preserve and enhance heritage assets, yet policy is being given insufficient regard or weighting despite a presumption against development,” she said.
“I’d ask you to reject this application or defer it to enable a detailed heritage impact assessment to be done on its impact on the Pen y Cae Heritage Asset Area.”
Cllr McCaffery said she was concerned about several issues, including increasing the density of properties, over development, new properties overlooking existing homes, the obstruction of light, and road safety concerns.
“This proposal now seeks to squeeze a four-storey building into a constrained part of the garden within the heritage area where a protected characteristic of local houses is to have large gardens. This proposal is out of character,” she said.
“The existing extension overlooks Eden Hall Victorian Gardens as will the new four-storey house. Members saw the impact at yesterday’s site visit. The proposed house will also overlook the gardens.”
She added, “This development will significantly reduce light to Eden Hall Gardens, and light is key to the planting within the garden and to the amenity able to be enjoyed by residents.”
But planning officers said the plans were acceptable, and the committee voted in favour of the application.
A planning report concluded, “The development contributes to the housing land supply and is considered to be visually acceptable and preserves the character and appearance of the conservation area.
“The development is also acceptable in terms of impact on nature conservation, trees, and residential amenity.”
