The Carmarthenshire Planning Committee met on Thursday 15 August 2024 and determined several planning applications. Key decisions included the approval of a residential development for affordable dwellings, a new forestry access road, and a variation to a temporary use of a retail unit for a vehicle depot. The committee also resolved to defer a decision on an inert waste recycling facility to allow for a site visit and granted planning permission for a proposed alteration to an agricultural dwelling, contrary to the recommendation for refusal.

Planning Applications Determined

The committee granted planning permission for the following applications:

• PL/06515: Proposed Residential Development (Affordable Dwellings), Access Road and Associated Infrastructure at Land off Dol y Dderwen, Ammanford, SA18 2GA This application for 31 affordable residential units was approved. Councillor S.M. Allen declared an interest as a voluntary member of the applicant's Board, Bro Myrddin Housing Association, and left the meeting for the duration of the discussion and decision. The development is located outside the current development limits but is supported by policy AH2 for affordable housing exceptions. Concerns raised by objectors regarding infrastructure capacity, traffic, and drainage were addressed, with the council's Highways Planning Liaison Team offering no objections subject to conditions. The development will include contributions towards education and parks/open space improvements, secured via a Section 106 Agreement.

• PL/06840: New forestry access from the adjacent highway at Cefn Ystrad Ffin Forest, Rhandirmwyn Permission was granted for a new forestry access road to facilitate management, harvesting, replanting, and maintenance operations within the Cefn Ystrad Ffin Forest. Despite objections from local residents and the Llanfair-ar-y-bryn Community Council regarding highway safety, dust, and the preferred alternative access point (Site 2), the Head of Transportation and Highways supported the proposal subject to conditions. The committee noted that the revised access design was a minor amendment and did not require further community consultation.

• PL/07482: Raise roofline by 1.2m, and add 2no. 1st floor windows. Add external door opening and window to ground floor south elevation. Replace UPVC windows and doors for new at Cottage to rear of, Lamb Inn, Llanboidy, Whitland, SA34 0EL This householder application to raise the roofline, add windows and doors, and undertake internal renovations was approved. Councillor D. Phillips, who is related to the applicant, declared an interest and left the meeting before the discussion and decision. No objections were received from the public or the Llanboidy Community Council. The Built Heritage team raised no adverse comments after design amendments. The proposal was considered to be in keeping with the character of the Llanboidy Conservation Area.

• PL/07904: Variation of Condition 1 on PL/04555 (Temporary change of use [24 months] of vacant retail unit (class A1) to vehicle depot with offices and associated vehicle parking) at 24A Heol Stanllyd, Cross Hands, Llanelli, SA14 6RB The committee approved the variation of a condition to extend the temporary use of a former retail unit as a vehicle depot, offices, and parking for Carmarthenshire County Council's waste management services. The original permission was for 24 months, expiring in October 2024. This variation extends the permission until 20 October 2027, allowing additional time for the council to finalise a long-term depot solution. The decision acknowledged the temporary loss of retail space but deemed the extension acceptable given the ongoing need for the depot and the lack of alternative capacity at other council sites. Environmental Health and Highways raised no objections.

Deferred Application

• PL/02167: Construction and operation of inert waste recycling facility, waste processing and associated works to include the construction of a screening bund at Cilyrychen Quarry, Llandybie, Ammanford, SA18 3JE The committee resolved to defer this application to allow for a site visit. The deferral was requested to enable the committee to assess the site's impact on local environments. Objections were raised by local residents and Councillor D. Nicholas regarding the impact of increased HGV traffic, noise, dust, air pollution, and the potential impact on local ecology, including a unique turlough¹ and an oligotrophic lake². Concerns were also raised about the proposal's conflict with national policy regarding 'urban quarries' and the potential for the site to become solely reliant on imported materials for processing.

Application Approved Against Recommendation

• PL/06346: Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) of planning permission E/39636 to allow an alteration to the design of the agricultural dwelling previously approved under E/39636 – Agricultural Dwelling and Associated Works at Brynawelon, Llanfynydd, Carmarthen, SA32 7TG Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Place and Sustainability, the committee granted planning permission for an alteration to the design of an agricultural dwelling. The committee considered the proposal to comply with Welsh Government Technical Advice Note 6 (TAN 6) on Planning for Sustainable Rural Communities, specifically paragraphs 2.1.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.4, and 3.14. The application sought to add a sunroom extension, increasing the total floorspace. The original recommendation for refusal was based on the dwelling exceeding an acceptable scale for a Rural Enterprise Dwelling (RED) and potentially impacting its affordability for future rural enterprise workers or those eligible for affordable housing. The consent was granted subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Agreement to tie the property to the rural enterprise.

Appeals Report Noted

The committee also considered the Planning Appeals Report, which provided information on lodged planning appeals as of 15 August 2024. The report was noted by the committee.