Image Source: Google Earth (taken November 2022)
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Bridgend Council’s Planning Committee has approved plans by Valleys2Coast housing association for a 6-apartment development at Canberra Road in the Caeffatri area of Bridgend town centre (pdf).
All of the apartments are one-bedroom and would be in a single two-storey block. They would be built on a communal parking area and garages. 7 new parking spaces would be provided.
Natural Resources Wales objected based on the possible impact on bats that may be present, recommending that no trees are removed.
Local support for development in principle; concerns over drainage and parking
The three ward councillors – Cllr. Steven Bletsoe, Cllr. Tim Wood and Cllr. Steve Easterbrook (all Ind, Bridgend Central) – raised similar observations after discussing the issue with residents.
There was support for the development in principle as the area had become a target for anti-social behaviour. However, residents want the existing road widened and were concerned about the impact on parking. There were also concerns that the flats would overlook bungalows on Castle View.
Another issue raised during the meeting was surface water run-off as the flats would be at the bottom of a sloped area. The applicants are set to install an attenuation tank under the car park.
Cllr. Simon Griffiths (Lab, Brackla East & Coychurch) was reluctant to approve the application until there were full details on this.
However, planning officers said that surface water run-off from adjacent land was a civil matter, not a planning one – so it would be difficult to turn the application down on those grounds alone. An amendment was added related to drainage, which was accepted.
The application was unanimously approved, subject to a Section 106 agreement. The developer will need to contribute just under £8,800 to improve playgrounds and public realm in the immediate area.
