1. LOSS OF AN HISTORIC BUILDING.
Demolition would contravene:
- LDP Policy Reference SP10 which calls for the preservation and enhancement of the architectural and historic qualities of buildings.
- Planning Policy Wales (2018) Section 6.1.7 which states ‘it is important that the planning system looks to protect, conserve and enhance the significance of historic assets.’
- Planning Policy Wales (2018) Section 6.1.8 which states ‘it is the responsibility of all those with an interest in the planning system, including planning authorities, applicants, developers and communities, to appropriately care for the historic environment in their area.’
2. THE POLICIES OF THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (LDP).
The proposed scheme contravenes the following:
- LDP Policy MG2: Housing Allocations. The LDP calls for 20 units on the site. The proposed 34 units is more than 150% the LDP allocation.
- LDP Policy MG6: Housing Densities. The proposals represent overdevelopment.
- LDP Policy MD5: Development within settlement boundaries. The proposals will negatively impact on the wider setting and character of the area due to its prominent location.
- Supplementary Planning Guide (SPG) Amenity Standards 3: Residential Privacy and Amenity. The height of the scheme and differing ground levels mean that the residential amenity of neighbouring houses will be severely impacted.
- SPG Amenity Standards Policy 2: Amenity space within residential developments. The scheme fails to provide adequate residential amenity space and therefore also fails to ensure adequate well-being of future residents. The need for amenity space and careful design of shared spaces is particularly highlighted by the current Covid-19 restrictions.
3. INSUFFICIENT PROTECTION OF BATS. The proposed scheme fails to adequately protect the bats that use the building currently due to:
- Failure to demonstrate that the proposed bat roost would be adopted.
- Contradictory statements regarding lighting: The lights along one side of the car park will be turned off to accommodate the bat fly zone yet the proposals state that the car park will be ‘well-lit’ to deter anti-social behaviour.
- Failure to ensure mitigation measures are in place to protect bats during demolition/construction.
4. CLIMATE IMPACT: In 2019 the Vale of Glamorgan Council declared a ‘Climate Emergency’ and stated it would adopt the position of the IPCC Report (October 2018). Within this report it states that retrofitting existing buildings is key to a low-emission building sector. No evidence has been provided as to why the existing building cannot be retained and retrofitted Furthermore, demolition would go against the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s own ‘Project Zero’ which seeks to be carbon neutral by 2030.