The Planning Committee of Carmarthenshire Council met on Thursday, 27 February 2025, to determine several planning applications. The committee granted permission for the conversion of outbuildings at Barley Mount into a residential annex and two holiday let units. In a notable decision, the committee approved the redevelopment of a disused farmhouse at Ty Isaf into an affordable three-bedroom house, overturning the officer's recommendation for refusal and imposing an affordable housing contribution. The committee also received an update on planning appeals.

Planning Applications

The committee considered three planning applications, granting permission for two and approving one against officer recommendation.

Barley Mount Conversions

Permission was granted for two applications at Barley Mount, Llanarthne, Carmarthen, SA32 8JX. The first application, PL/05488, involved the conversion of an attached disused outbuilding into a residential annex. The second application, PL/05490, sought permission to convert an existing outbuilding into two holiday let units. Both proposals were recommended for approval by the Head of Place and Sustainability and were granted by the committee, subject to conditions. Councillor Mansel Charles declared a personal interest in both applications due to a close family relationship with the applicant and left the chamber before their consideration.

Ty Isaf Redevelopment

The committee approved the redevelopment of the existing disused farmhouse at Ty Isaf, Nazareth Road, Pontyates, Llanelli, SA15 5TB, into an affordable three-bedroom house, contrary to the Head of Place and Sustainability's recommendation for refusal. The application, PL/06106, was called in by the local member, Councillor Meinir James, who supported the proposal. The officer's report highlighted that the existing structure was largely ruins and that the proposed development would essentially be a new build in the countryside, contrary to Policy H8 of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan¹. However, the committee considered the application acceptable in the context of Policies H8, TAN20, and paragraphs 2.11 and 2.12 of TAN6². A key amendment to the decision was the inclusion of a condition requiring a Section 106 (S106) agreement for an affordable housing contribution. Councillor W.T. Evans, Chair of the committee, declared a personal interest as he knew the applicant and left the chamber prior to the consideration of this item. Councillor J.M. Charles presided over this item as Vice Chair. The Senior Development and Enforcement Manager advised that if the committee went against the officer's recommendation, a press notice would be issued, and a departure period would commence before a final report was brought back to the committee.

Appeals Report

The committee received and noted the Planning Appeals Report, which provided information on planning appeals lodged as of 17 February 2025. The report detailed the stages of the appeals process, the roles and responsibilities of parties involved, and how to comment on an appeal. It also included tables listing appeals lodged, appeals in progress, and appeals determined between 18 January 2025 and 17 February 2025. The Senior Development and Enforcement Manager informed the committee of an upcoming opportunity to observe a Planning Hearing on 30 April 2025 at the Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli, should members wish to attend.