Latest news with #PlanningPolicyWales
Powys County Times
19-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Plans for new dog grooming parlour in Powys village
Plans to convert a building in a Powys village into a dog grooming business have been submitted to Powys County Council. A planning application for a development that would see a building in Bryn-Y-Groes, near Llangadfan by Welshpool, were submitted to Powys County Council on July 10 and are currently awaiting the green light from the council. The application is seeking planning permission to renovate and change the building into a dog grooming parlour, with a planning statement prepared by estate agency Morris, Marshall & Poole on behalf of a Mr Edwards. It states: 'The application seeks retrospective planning permission for the renovation and change of use of a former store into a small-scale dog grooming business. 'The development has made efficient use of an existing structure, delivering economic and community benefit while maintaining the character and appearance of the surrounding area. 'External alterations have been sensitively designed, with materials and finishes in keeping with the original building to preserve local visual amenity. 'Internal upgrades have ensured the building meets modern operational standards without any adverse impacts on neighbouring properties or land uses. 'The site remains well-maintained, with no need for additional landscaping due to the quality and extent of existing soft landscaping. 'Biodiversity enhancements have been incorporated through the installation of bat and bird boxes, and all existing trees and hedgerows have been retained, ensuring no net loss of habitat. 'The development does not fall within a flood risk area and is appropriately serviced by existing surface water drainage infrastructure, with foul discharge limited to grey water from grooming activities. 'The proposal aligns with relevant planning policy, including the Powys Local Development Plan and Planning Policy Wales, and there are no material considerations that would justify refusal of the application. 'In light of the above, it is respectfully requested that Powys County Council grants planning permission for the development as proposed.'
South Wales Argus
07-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Brynglas Road, Newport, could become shared house for six
A planning application has been submitted, seeking permission to convert a three-bedroom house on Brynglas Road into a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The application, submitted by LRJ Planning Ltd on behalf of Mr Grainger Jones, includes plans to add a new window on the first-floor front of the property. The house is in a residential area with good access to public transport and local amenities, which means it is close to essential services. The proposed development aims to provide affordable, shared accommodation in a central urban location. The design has been planned to fit in with the existing look of the street. The new front-facing window will be built to match the style of neighbouring homes. The planning statement says the new use will not lead to too many HMOs in the area, following Newport City Council's rule that no more than 10% of homes within a 50-metre radius should be HMOs. The development is expected to have no major impact on neighbouring properties in terms of noise or disturbance. A detailed parking survey included in the application shows that there is enough on-street parking even during peak hours, despite the property not having off-street parking. The house's closeness to public transport and walkable amenities means it is classed as a sustainable development, which reduces the need for private vehicles. The application has been checked against national planning guidance, including Planning Policy Wales and the Newport Local Development Plan (LDP). The proposal meets policies on sustainability, general amenity, highways, HMOs, and parking, and supports objectives outlined in Llwybr Newydd: the Wales Transport Strategy 2021. With a growing demand for flexible, low-cost accommodation, the proposed HMO at Brynglas Road is expected to offer a useful housing option for individuals, especially those without regular access to a car. The application states its commitment to improving housing diversity while maintaining neighbourhood integrity. The application was submitted and validated on June 19 and is currently under consultation until July 15. The public can comment on the application before it is decided by the council. People can see the full application on Newport City Council's planning portal using the reference number 25/0496. The official description of a HMO states: "A HMO is a house that is occupied by more than one household and where more than one household shares an amenity such as a bathroom, toilet, or cooking facilities. "A household is a single person or members of the same family who live together. "This includes people who are married or living together, relatives, and half-relatives."
South Wales Argus
06-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Plans to convert Abertillery storage unit into new takeaway
The proposal involves changing the vacant unit at Penybont Service Station, Abertillery, from storage use to a takeaway. The plans detail the erection of a single-storey cold room and the installation of high-level extraction ducts on the building's side elevation. The takeaway would operate from 11am to 11pm every day. The planning application was submitted in June 2025, but no decision date has yet been confirmed. The unit, currently vacant, is situated on the north-eastern side of Victor Road and is surrounded by a mix of commercial and residential properties. The application has been assessed under the Wales Spatial Plan, Planning Policy Wales (PPW), and associated Technical Advice Notes (TANs). It also considers the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan (LDP) to 2021, specifically policies SP4, SP6, DM1, DM2, and DM5. The proposal reportedly aligns with the five objectives of good design, namely access, movement, character, environmental sustainability, and community safety. The location of the unit supports both foot and vehicle access and includes level thresholds for accessibility. The reuse of the existing commercial unit is viewed positively in terms of community activity and crime prevention. The principle of development is supported by both national and local policies for urban development and the reuse of commercial units. The proposal is said to align with the mixed-use nature of the area, with minimal visual impact expected from external additions. No undue impact on neighbour amenity is anticipated, with odour and noise control measures available as conditions. The unit is served by bus routes and pedestrian links, with existing on-street parking. No significant increase in traffic is anticipated. The development is presented as sustainable, policy-compliant, and beneficial for the reuse of the property. The application explicitly requests planning permission in accordance with policy compliance.
South Wales Argus
05-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Newport High School: plans for new security fence approved
The plans, submitted by M. Legge, propose enclosing a 4.4 square metre area at the front of the school's main reception with 2.4-metre-high green powder-coated weldmesh fencing and double access gates. The school, which also houses the Active Living Centre, is located on Bettws Lane in the Bettws ward. The planning application, numbered 25/0270, was considered under a range of policy frameworks, including Future Wales: The National Plan 2040, Planning Policy Wales (Edition 12) 2024, and the Newport Local Development Plan 2011–2026. Thirty-five neighbouring properties were notified of the proposal, with no objections received. A site notice was also posted on April 18, 2025. The Landscape Officer observed the potential for a visual impact but did not object due to the small scale of the proposal. No response was received from Ecology officers. The application was granted with conditions. These conditions include that the development must be carried out in accordance with submitted plans, and a scheme for ecological enhancement must be submitted and approved before commencement. The new fencing is designed to increase security at the school, enclosing a small area at the front of the main reception. While there was some concern about the visual impact, the school's large building is expected to offset any negative effects. The application was also assessed for its impact on residential amenity, with no negative effects anticipated due to the lack of direct impact on residential properties. The proposal was also deemed to have no direct ecological impact. However, an enhancement scheme, which could include the installation of a bird box, is required as part of the conditions for approval.
South Wales Argus
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Plan to reopen former petrol station in Newport rejected
City planners refused the application for 76 High Cross Road, Rogerstone, over concerns about safety and lack of evidence for demand. The site, inactive for years, was most recently used for car sales and MOT services. The proposal showed that the applicant, intended to revert its use back to a petrol station. The refusal came amid concerns about insufficient information regarding site access, vehicle and pedestrian movement, visibility, parking, servicing arrangements, and traffic generation. This raised highway safety concerns, as per Policy GP4. There was also a lack of evidence showing the proposed retail use would not harm the vitality or viability of nearby retail centres. Moreover, the applicant did not demonstrate a local need for the proposal. Public objections included worries about late or 24-hour opening leading to increased rubbish, and negative impacts on public health and atmosphere. One person, however, supported the idea, noting the benefit of reusing the site for its original purpose. The application sought to operate Monday to Saturday from 6am to 11pm, and on Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10am to 9pm. A highways officer recommended refusing the application due to insufficient detailed information. A landscape architect had no objections, provided a landscaping plan was included. The reuse of the site was seen as supporting urban regeneration goals under Policy SP18. The application was found to have no material impact on biodiversity, the character and appearance of the area, or on protected characteristics under equality law. A Green Infrastructure Statement was submitted, including plans for biodiversity enhancements like wildflower planters and bird and bat boxes, though the location of these was unclear. The proposed change to replace roller doors with glazing was deemed visually acceptable. The application referenced policies from the Newport LDP (2011–2026), Planning Policy Wales (Edition 12), and associated Technical Advice Notes.
