A HOUSING scheme to develop the vacant site of a former nursing home into 18 “affordable” homes has divided opinion in Bethesda.
The proposals concern the development of the Brig Y Nant land, on Ffordd Newydd, Coetmor.
Cyngor Gwynedd’s planning committee voted equally for and against the development, so the casting vote was given to the planning committee chairman Councillor Edgar Owen.
He gave the thumbs up for the full application concerning the erection of 18 dwellings, new road and landscaping.
It would provide two-storey residential units to include 12 two-bedroom houses; four three bedroom houses and two four-bedroom homes.
The committee approved the plan with conditions on Monday, April 17.
The application was made through Daniel Russell of Kingscrown Properties Ltd, through agents, Daniel Pollock.
During the planning meeting in March, the committee deferred their decision for a site visit.
The land was formerly used as a nursing home but which was destroyed by fire in 2008.
The Bethesda Community Council had objected to the housing and had stated in a report that the number of homes was “excessive”.
A public consultation had followed, objections included everything from traffic issues, to the drains, Japanese Knotweed, loss of footpaths, effect on services, access, privacy, noise, land stability and wildlife impact.
Councillor Rheinallt Puw had spoken on the matter but was unavailable for the April meeting.
The full application included 12 two-bedroom houses; four three bedroom houses and two four-bedroom houses, had been outlined by Cyngor Gwynedd’s Senior Development Control Officer, Idwal Williams.
It would also provide parking spaces within the curtilage of each house and off-road.
The planning officers considered the project “acceptable in principle.”
The committee finally decided to delegate powers to the senior planning manager to approve the application – subject to the applicant signing a Section 106 agreement – it would ensure an educational and open spaces financial contribution and other conditions
These included submitting and agreeing on soft and hard landscaping plans that confirmed tree species and plans to provide arrangements that the affordable units would remain “affordable now and in perpetuity. ”
A reptile and survey would be necessary and a Welsh name for the development before occupancy.
Working hours must be limited to 8am-6pm, on Monday to Friday; 8pm – 1pm, on Saturday and not at all on Sunday and Bank Holidays.
Measures would to reduce noise, dust and vibration, conditions from the Transportation Unit over access and parking, materials and colours for the residential dwellings agreed.
A biodiversity improvement plan must include details on lighting and bat roosts and a biosafety risk assessment to eradicate Japanese Knotweed
Solar panel details must also be agreed as well as details for a land survey over he stability of the site and access from the site to the footpath to be created.
The scheme was also required to be carried out within five years.
Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones proposed the scheme went ahead but the for or against vote was equally divided.
Cllr Lloyd Jones said: “I proposed that we put forward the application because there is a need for local housing.
“There had been some concerns about the access but the highways department raised had no issues.
“The site, which is on a slope, was formerly a nursing home which had burnt down, the access would have been same as the for the home.”
“Split decisions don’t happen very often, but Councillor Edgar Owen had the casting vote and it was approved.”
