BRIDGEND County Borough Council has granted approval for changes to a controversial housing development this week, despite a number of pleas from local residents.
The site at Coed Parc Park Street, Bridgend, was previously granted planning permission by the council for nine houses, on land based 1km west of the town centre.
However, developers at Park Tree Homes had requested a number of changes to the plans, including extra bedrooms in the roof space of the houses, as well as a wider range of house types, with some including second floor balconies.
The decision had been deferred to this month after a previous meeting where members felt more information was required before they could make a final decision, particularly when it came to the finish of the properties, and the additions of bigger windows and balconies.
The plans, which have been with the council in various iterations since 2017 were the subject of a second lengthy debate between members and officers at the planning committee on October 19, with representatives also speaking on behalf of residents and developers.
Residents who spoke out against the plans outlined a number of issues they had with a potential strain on infrastructure that could be caused as a result of extra residents living in the attic rooms, as well as fears there would be a loss of privacy with balconied houses overlooking them.
Officers, however, explained that the inclusion of the balconies was in line with planning guidance as they were set far enough away from the boundary line of the neighbouring properties, adding that the inclusion of the additional attic bedrooms would also meet with regulations.
Other discussions revolved around what defined a three-storey house, with members wanting to know if the inclusion of attic rooms would change the class of houses to three-storey. The principal officer responded by saying that, while the properties would technically have three floors inside, they would still be classed as two storeys, as they were the same size as a two-storey building.
Representatives speaking on behalf of Park Tree Homes said in the event that approval was overturned against officers’ recommendation, they would be left with no other option but to challenge the decision through the planning appeal process, as there was no technical or professional evidence to support those objections.
It led to a recorded vote by members, who went in favour of the amended plans, with seven members voting for, two against, and two abstaining, although Cllr Anthony Berrow of Bryntirion, Laleston and Merthyr Mawr said it was with a “very heavy heart” as he knew what residents in the area were going through.
Cllr Simon Griffiths added: “My overall feeling is that this application is a better application for the residents of the area than the previous one, and so on that basis I will be voting for this. I have those concerns that I mentioned earlier, but on balance I think the trouble is if you vote it down it gets worse.”
