Questions raised over reduction of car parking spaces at Brynmawr development
Questions have been raised over a reduction in the number of car parking spaces at a development in Brynmawr .
At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s Planning committee on Thursday, April 20, councillors considered an application by Karen Akinci, to halve the number of parking spaces at a development to convert a lawyer’s office into flats.
The proposal to change the use of ground floor offices and living accommodation on the first and second floor of 74 King Street, into two separate homes and also changing the use of “Caleb’s cottage,” at the back of the property into a home, was approved by the Planning committee last September.
Parking provision for six vehicles was also approved, but under the new proposal this will be cut to three parking spaces.
This brings the area of development down to 99 square metres which means that a further sustainable drainage application for approval is not needed now.
Planning officer Sophie Godfrey told councillors that the building is inside the Brynmawr town centre boundary where residential uses are not allowed at ground floor level.
The original planning application from last year was a “departure” from planning policy.
She explained that the principle of developing the site has already been “positively established” by the previous planning application.
Ms Godfrey said: “Whilst this application will result in a new permission being issued, the main focus of this application is on the acceptability or otherwise of the reduction of parking provision and whether this is a minor material change and conditions can be varied accordingly.”
She believed the reduction is “acceptable.”
Cllr David Wilkshire said: “I thought any dwelling should have two parking spaces.”
Built environment team manager, Mark Hopkins said: “The original application showed an extra space and it’s down to the discretion of the applicant at the time.
“The SPG (supplementary planning guidance) requires one parking space per bedroom.
“There is a sustainability matrix we apply to justify the reduction of parking.
“This scored the maximum points which triggered the consideration of reduction.
“One space per dwelling does comply with the SPG, there are public car parks in the area that could be used.”
Cllr Wayne Hodgins added: “I’m happy to support this application it’s bringing a significant redundant building on the main highway back into proper use.”
Councillor unanimously approved the application as well as giving county borough planners delegated powers to agree any other minor alterations to the scheme that need to be made.
By BBC LDRS
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