Plans for New Homes Behind Pembrokeshire Village Fuel Station Rejected

Plans to build new homes on land behind a Pembrokeshire village’s fuel station which didn’t include the expected 50 per cent affordable housing contribution have been refused.
In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Cardigan-based CAD Properties, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought permission for a new residential development of four homes and an access road on land to the rear of Dinas Cross Service Station, Dinas Cross.
A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “This application seeks full approval for four dormer bungalows. The proposed dwellings will comprise four two-bedroom units. The proposal seeks to create a new access off Spring Hill, set back off the highway to allow for visibility.”
It said no affordable housing contribution is offered, the application submitted alongside a viability report “which highlights that due to constraints and cost of development, delivering affordable housing within this site is unviable”.
It concluded: “This proposal is considered to offer an acceptable form of residential development, making best use of windfall land within the centre boundary of Dinas Cross. The siting of the access is deemed acceptable for four dwellings and allows the land to be built upon, securing required open-market housing within PCNPA’s jurisdiction.”
Dinas Community Council objected to the proposals and several representations from the public, including a petition, raised concerns including the potential impact upon residential amenity, flooding, increase in traffic, little need for properties of this type, and it being a development of open countryside.
An officer report recommending refusal raised two bones of contention: The lack of an affordable housing contribution, 50 per cent in the case of the Newport area, and the visual impact of the proposed scheme.
On the affordable housing aspect, it said: “Officers have considered whether or not the specific circumstances and any other material considerations justify granting planning permission without an affordable housing provision and have concluded that it is not warranted in this case.
“There are no exceptional circumstances in this case such as historic buildings at risk, or other material considerations which would justify the lack of provision of any affordable housing contribution on this proposed new build site.”
It also said the scale and dormer-bungalow form “would be out of keeping with the predominantly single-storey character of Spring Hill, causing harmful visual effects within the street scene and the wider national park landscape, contrary [to planning policies].”
The application was refused on those two grounds. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​