The Blaenau Gwent Council Planning Committee met on 4 September 2025, where they discussed planning applications, appeals, and updates on developments of national significance. The committee granted permission for a change of use application at 49 Bethcar Street in Ebbw Vale, despite officer recommendations to refuse. They also noted the dismissal of appeals for a development site in Rhoslan, Tredegar, and for advertisement consent at 5 Market Square, Ebbw Vale.

Planning Application: 49 Bethcar Street, Ebbw Vale

Planning permission was granted for a change of use from a commercial property to an A3 food and drink establishment/takeaway at 49 Bethcar Street, Ebbw Vale. This decision went against the recommendation of planning officers. Six members voted in favour of the application, with one voting against.

Concerns were raised in three letters of objection, including the impact on retail space, the high density of takeaways in the area, and the impact on health and wellbeing. Objectors stated that:

Retail space is vital for a thriving high street and losing a retail space in favour of a takeaway would further contribute to the decline of the high street. We want to see new retail businesses attracted to the high street not be crowded out by yet another takeaway.

The Planning Applications Report noted that the Blaenau Gwent Food Partnership and the Health Board also objected to the proposal.

The planning officer's report noted that the property is located within Ebbw Vale town centre boundary and within the Primary Retail Area. According to policy DM5 criterion (a) of the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan (LDP), only A1 uses are permitted in Primary Retail Areas. The report also noted that the previous use as a beauty salon was unauthorised, with the former established use being an A2 (Estate Agents).

However, the committee considered marketing evidence that the property had been marketed for commercial use, with five viewings but only one formal expression of interest from the proposed development. The committee also took into account the Blaenau Gwent Annual Monitoring Report (AMR), which showed a decline in A1 uses in the Ebbw Vale primary retail area between 2009 and 2020.

Conditions for the approval included:

• A time limit for the full implementation of the permission
• Adherence to approved plans
• Restrictions on opening hours
• Installation of green infrastructure and ecological enhancements
• Details of fume extraction equipment
• Details of a grease trap
• A noise assessment of fixed plant and equipment

Planning Application: 90 Glyn Terrace, Tredegar

An application for a change of use from A1 retail to A3 hot food takeaway, with the addition of a cooking ventilation pipe to the rear of the property at 90 Glyn Terrace, Tredegar, was withdrawn.

Planning Appeals

The committee noted the decisions on two planning appeals:

Land adjacent to Meadow View, Rhoslan, Tredegar

An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a detached dwelling at land adjacent to Meadow View, Rhoslan, Tredegar, was dismissed. The original application (P/2024/0197) was refused due to the dwelling's scale and proximity creating an overbearing impact on the residential amenity of Meadow View, not respecting the pattern of development, and having an adverse impact on two protected sycamore trees.

The Planning Environment and Decisions Wales (PEDW) inspector, L. Hughson-Smith, agreed with the council's decision. The inspector's report Appeal Decision CAS-04027-Z4J4H2 Land adj to Meadow View Rhoslan.pdf.pdf stated that:

I am not satisfied the proposal adequately safeguards the long-term health of the two protected trees and could result in their potential loss which would significantly diminish the area's character and visual amenity.

An application for costs against Blaenau Gwent Council by the applicant, Mr Gerald Shore, was also refused. The inspector's report Costs Decision CAS-04027-Z4J4H2 Land adj to Meadow View Rhoslan.pdf.pdf found that the council had not acted unreasonably.

Gable End of 5 Market Square, Ebbw Vale

An appeal against the refusal of advertisement consent for the installation of a digital advertisement hoarding on the gable end of 5 Market Square, Ebbw Vale, was dismissed. The application (P/2025/0035) was refused due to concerns regarding public safety, particularly highway safety.

The PEDW inspector, G Hall, agreed with the council's decision. The inspector's report Decision CAS-04258-J0Y1X3 5 Market Square.pdf.pdf stated that:

the proposed digital advertisement, due to its prominent size and frequently changing display, would be particularly conspicuous. Its visual prominence would draw attention and divert drivers' focus at moments when concentration on the road is especially important.

Appeals, Consultations and DNS Update

The committee received an Appeals, Consultations and DNS Update September 2025.pdf report, which provided an update on live planning appeals and Developments of National Significance (DNS).¹ The report included information on the status of anticipated DNS schemes, including the Mynydd Bedwellte Wind Farm DNS, Mynydd Llanhilleth DNS, and Abertillery Wind Farm DNS.

List of Determined Applications

The committee received a List of determined applications between 4th July 2025 20th August 2025.pdf report, which detailed decisions taken under delegated powers between 4 July 2025 and 20 August 2025. The report was for information only.

Areas for Member Briefings and Training

No areas for member training or briefings were requested.

Enforcement Closed Cases

The committee considered a report on enforcement closed cases between 5 July 2025 and 12 August 2025. The public were excluded from this part of the meeting because it contained exempt information relating to a particular individual, as defined in Paragraph 12, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).