Agenda item

Outline planning application (including access) for a proposed adventure resort comprising 600 no. lodges/apartments, 100-bed hotel with associated spa, central plaza containing restaurants, leisure activities and shops, adventure activities and associated buildings (including X-sports, alpine/ski, forest activities and Trax & Trail), restaurants and associated administration and maintenance buildings and parking for approx. 850 cars, plus associated landscaping, drainage and engineering operations including re-profiling of land, boundary treatment, retaining structures, external lighting and CCTV, and diversion of public rights of way. Additional and amended information received on 25/01/2019 and 07/02/2019 under Regulation 24 with regard to biodiversity, landscape and visual impact, social economic impact and transport together with modifications to the masterplan and parameters plan at Land At Pen Y Bryn, Croeserw Cymmer, Port Talbot.

Officers made a presentation to the Planning Committee on this Application (Outline planning application (including access) for a proposed adventure resort comprising 600 no. lodges/apartments, 100-bed hotel with associated spa, central plaza containing restaurants, leisure activities and shops, adventure activities and associated buildings (including X-sports, alpine/ski, forest activities and Trax and Trail), restaurants and associated administration and maintenance buildings and parking for approx. 850 cars, plus associated landscaping, drainage and engineering operations including re-profiling of land, boundary treatment, retaining structures, external lighting and CCTV, and diversion of public rights of way. Additional and amended information received on 25/01/2019 and 07/02/2019 under Regulation 24 with regard to biodiversity, landscape and visual impact, social economic impact and transport together with modifications to the masterplan and parameters plan at Land At Pen Y Bryn, Croeserw, Cymmer, Port Talbot).

In accordance with the Council’s approved Public Speaking Protocol, and with the agreement of the Chairperson, the agent representing Afan Valley Limited addressed the Planning Committee as well as the Applicant, and the two local Member’s for the area.

RESOLVED:               1.    That following the site visit prior to today’s meeting on 19 March, 2019, and in accordance with Officers’ recommendations, Application No. P2018/0493 be approved, subject to the conditions detailed in the circulated report (as revised in the circulated amendment sheet), and subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Agreement with the broad Heads of Terms detailed in the circulated report.

                              2.     That if the required Section 106 agreement is not completed within six months of the date of this resolution (unless the Local Planning Authority has otherwise agreed to an extension of this time limit in writing), that delegated authority be given to refuse planning permission on the basis that, in the absence of the required legal agreement, the identified environmental impacts of the development, notably on biodiversity / habitat, would not be mitigated, precise reasons to be agreed in consultation with the Chairperson of the Planning Committee.

3.          That delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Public Protection and Development Manager – Planning, to make changes to the conditions and/or Heads of Terms of the required legal agreement, subject to consultation with the Chairperson of the Planning Committee, up to the point where the legal agreement is signed and outline consent issued.