The Planning Committee of Swansea Council met on Tuesday 09 April 2024, where they discussed a Tree Preservation Order and a planning application for new dwellings. The committee decided to defer the confirmation of a Tree Preservation Order for a hornbeam tree at Rectory Cottage, Ilston, pending a site visit. They also approved a full planning application for the construction of 20 dwellings, a new access road, and a replacement bridge at Land Off Felin Fran, Birchgrove, subject to a Section 106 agreement.

Confirmation of Tree Preservation Order 691 Rectory Cottage, Ilston

The committee considered the confirmation of Tree Preservation Order (TPO) 691, which protects a single hornbeam tree at Rectory Cottage, Ilston. The TPO was initially served in response to a notification from the tree's owner of their intention to fell it. The tree is located within the Ilston Conservation Area, and the council's TPO is the only means of control if the removal of the tree is deemed harmful to the conservation area.

Two objections were received: one from a neighbour, Mr. Richard Gordon, and one from the owner, Mr. Chris Coot. Mr. Gordon raised concerns about the tree's size and potential to cause damage to his property, the nuisance of falling leaves and catkins blocking gutters and paths, and shading that encourages algae growth. He argued that the tree is a tree in the wrong place and that its removal would not significantly detract from the area's character. Mr. Coot echoed concerns about potential damage and the tree's impact on the property's livability, suggesting that its removal would not harm the local amenity and that he would replace it with standard trees.

Council officers explained the TEMPO scoring system used to assess amenity value, which indicated the tree merited a TPO. They acknowledged the issues raised by objectors but stated that problems like falling leaves are natural processes associated with trees and that the benefits the tree provides to the wider community outweigh these issues.

During the discussion, councillors raised concerns about the tree's impact on flooding, its carbon storage capacity, and the accuracy of the provided photograph. Councillor Mary Jones proposed a site visit to better assess the tree's size and its proximity to the dwelling, which was subsequently agreed upon by the committee. Therefore, the decision on confirming the TPO was deferred for a site visit.

Planning Application: Construction of 20 dwellings, new access road, replacement bridge and associated works at Land Off Felin Fran, Felin Fran, Birchgrove, Swansea

The committee considered a full planning application for the construction of 20 dwellings, a new access road, and a replacement bridge at Land Off Felin Fran, Birchgrove. The site benefits from an extant outline planning permission for up to 20 dwellings, granted in 2020.

The application proposed a linear development with detached, semi-detached, and terraced dwellings. Access to the site would be via a new bridge over the Nant Bran, replacing the existing substandard structure. Concerns were raised by objectors regarding highway access, the condition of local roads, the proximity of the development to a high-pressure gas main, potential flooding impacts, and the ecological impact on the area.

Key discussions and decisions included:

• Principle of Development: The principle of residential development was established by the extant outline planning permission. The site is designated as white land within the Local Development Plan (LDP), but its proximity to the Swansea Vale strategic development site was considered a factor in its favour.
• Placemaking and Visual Amenity: The design of the dwellings and the layout of the development were discussed. The proposal included a mix of house types and materials, with an emphasis on moving parking from the front to the sides of the dwellings to improve the street scene. The council's Placemaking officer supported the scheme but requested further information on green infrastructure and the amenity area. Conditions were recommended to secure landscaping and the provision of a local area of play.
• Residential Amenity: Concerns were raised about noise from the nearby M4 motorway and the railway line. An acoustic report recommended mitigation measures, including an acoustic barrier and sound insulation for the dwellings. These measures were considered acceptable, subject to conditions, and the council's Pollution Control division raised no objection. Air quality was also assessed, with mitigation measures for the construction phase recommended.
• Access and Highway Safety: The Local Highway Authority raised no objection, subject to several conditions. These included the future management and maintenance of the streets, the construction of the new bridge prior to any other works, and the submission of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). A financial contribution of £30,000 was also required for highway safety and active travel improvements in the locality.
• Ecology and Trees: The site is located within a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). While no protected species were found, the line of oak trees had potential bat roosts. The development would result in some loss of SINC habitat, but mitigation and enhancement measures, including the retention of key ecological features and compensatory tree planting, were recommended through conditions.
• Flood Risk and Drainage: The site is partly located within flood zone C2. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) confirmed that the proposed dwellings would be flood-free, and the new bridge design would not increase flood risk to third parties. However, the access road could be impassable during extreme flood events. The committee noted that this was an existing situation for residents on Felin Fran and that the overall impact was considered acceptable on balance, given the extant permission for the same number of dwellings. A condition was recommended for the installation of a flood gauge. Drainage details would be handled through the SuDS Approval Body (SAB) process.
• Land Contamination: Given the site's industrial history, potential land contamination was a concern. NRW recommended a suite of conditions to address potential contamination issues, which were considered necessary.
• Affordable Housing: The application proposed 10% on-site affordable housing, which was considered acceptable and would be secured through a Section 106 agreement.
• Education and Parks Contributions: No contribution was deemed necessary for primary or Welsh secondary education due to existing school capacity. A request for a contribution towards Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive School was not justified due to surplus capacity. A contribution for local play facilities was also not considered justified due to the distance to the proposed upgrade site.

The committee voted to approve the planning application, subject to the conditions outlined in the officer's report and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.