Bridgend Council’s Planning Committee has approved an application for 20 homes at the former Blaenllynfi Infants School in Caerau. You can watch the meeting here (though there are some technical problems about halfway through it).
The application was submitted earlier this year by Cwmbran-based developer Pendragon Design & Build (pdf).
The proposal includes 14 one-bedroom apartments, 4 two-bedroom homes and 2 four-bedroom homes. Access will be from Grosvenor Terrace.
Maesteg Town Council supported the application in principle, subject to appropriate on-site parking and road safety measures. The Coal Authority has also noted that further ground investigations are needed due to former mine workings in the area.
Residents submitted an objection – outlined during the meeting by Cllr. Paul Davies (Lab, Caerau) – with concerns over parking, access/road layout and the possibility of people using Grosvenor Terrace as a drop-off spot for a nearby Flying Start centre.
A representative of the developer said the council’s planning policies support the re-use of disused land and the former school site wasn’t protected for any alternative uses. The density of buildings and access to the site also meets planning requirements.
During the discussion, committee members asked for further clarity around traffic issues. Officers told the committee that the access was suitable for the number of homes served and traffic levels were expected to be “low”. Additionally, when a default 20mph speed limit is introduced in Wales this would apply to streets like Grosvenor Terrace.
The application was approved with 12 votes for, 2 against and 1 abstention.
The application will be subject to a Section 106 agreement. The agreement includes – amongst other things – a requirement for a minimum of 15% of the units to be affordable, a £37,200 contribution towards education and an £11,400 contribution towards outdoor sports facilities.
