The Planning Committee of Carmarthenshire Council met on Thursday 28 March 2024 to determine several planning applications. The committee granted approval for four planning applications, deferred one to allow for a site visit, and deferred another to a future meeting for further information.

Planning Applications Determined

The committee considered a number of planning applications, granting approval for four of them.

Dairy Partners, The Creamery, Aberarad, Newcastle Emlyn, SA38 9DQ

Two applications relating to Dairy Partners at The Creamery were unanimously granted. The first, PL/00152, involved the construction of a new effluent treatment plant to replace an outdated one. The second, PL/03344, was for the replacement of Clean-In-Place (CIP) tanks and associated bunding.

During the discussion for PL/00152, representations were received objecting to the application on grounds including intensification, amenity, noise from pumping and the main factory, odour from tanks and slurry tankers, vibration, overlooking during maintenance, the site being assessed as a whole, loss of water supply, impact on the character of the residential location and area, impact on the setting of a Grade II listed building, flooding, potential spillage of effluent or chemicals, water pollution, pedestrian safety, highway concerns regarding lorry movements and turning areas, and health and safety following a nearby explosion. The agent and Senior Enforcement and Monitoring Officer responded to these points. Councillor H.A.L. Evans, the local member, spoke in support of the application, highlighting the company's economic contribution and stating that the proposed conditions would address concerns. A proposal for a site visit to assess the smell emanating from the site was made but fell.

For PL/03344, objections reiterated points from the report and raised concerns about long-standing issues with the site's operation and the unauthorised effluent treatment plant, as well as amenity, intensification of production since 2017, and 24-hour operation leading to noise and disturbance. The agent and Senior Enforcement and Monitoring Officer responded to these points. The local member also expressed support for this application.

Land at Mellions, Heol Ddu, Ammanford, SA18 2UG

The application PL/07177, for the proposed construction of a livestock building for mixed agricultural and equine use with ancillary hard standing and landscaping, was also unanimously granted. This was a resubmission of a previous application, PL/05674, which was refused on 18 July 2023.

An objector, who lives directly below the proposed development, raised concerns regarding the lack of a tree survey, the absence of reference to Japanese Knotweed, the lack of requests to remove or develop hedgerows for visibility, and the absence of a Green Infrastructure Assessment. Further concerns were raised about the tight entrance to Mellions with poor visibility and its location on the brow of a steep hill. The agent and Senior Development Management Officer [Aman Gwendraeth] responded to these points.

Land part of Poplar Court, Llandeilo Road, Cross Hands, SA14 6NB

Application PL/06809, for the replacement of a demountable office outbuilding with a residential static caravan, was unanimously granted.

Objections were raised regarding non-compliance with the legal requirements of the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013, particularly concerning safety matters and required distances. The local member also objected, reiterating points from the report and adding that the age of residents would be over 50 and the site was too far to walk to local amenities. The agent, Senior Development Management Officer [Aman Gwendraeth], and Senior Development and Enforcement Manager responded to these points.

Land at Wauncefn, Heol Ddu, Ammanford, SA18 2UN

Application PL/06943, for a new dwelling including a new parking and turning facility for the existing dwelling house (Waun Cefn), was unanimously granted.

1 Parc Y Saint, Llansaint, Kidwelly, SA17 5JJ

Application PL/07084, for the replacement of an outbuilding for use as a commercial preparation kitchen and domestic storage, was unanimously granted. Mr Gary Glenister, Senior Enforcement and Monitoring Officer, who had declared a personal interest as his sister was the applicant, had left the meeting prior to this item.

Deferred Applications

Plot adjacent to Hollybrook, Ffynnondrain, Carmarthen, SA33 6EE

The planning application PL/06309, a variation of Condition 2 to amend plans to include a revised access ramp and amendments to the dwelling, was resolved to be deferred to enable the committee to undertake a site visit. A representation was received from the Local Member requesting the site inspection to fully assess the impact of the application. The objectors and the agent who had requested to speak opted to make their representations at the meeting following the site visit.

Angel Inn, Salem, Llandeilo, SA19 7LY

Consideration of planning application PL/06623, which proposed the cessation of all use as a public house and the consolidation of the current residential component into two self-contained two-bedroom houses, was deferred to a future meeting. This was to allow the applicant to respond to officer queries.

Appeals Report

The committee considered the Planning Appeals Report, which provided information on lodged planning appeals as at 18 March 2024. It was unanimously resolved that the report be noted.

Minutes

The minutes of the meetings held on 29 February 2024 and 12 March 2024 were signed as a correct record.