Planning permission has been granted for three affordable homes in Tregynon.
The planning permission was granted despite concerns about flooding.
Cllr Heulwen Hulme spoke against the application. “This application was originally for nine which was why I called it in and it came down to three. However the concerns remain the same.
“The site is on a steep slope, above the Tan y Llan estate, which has had extensive drainage works following floods in July 2007.
“It has not solved the problem in the back gardens which remain waterlogged in the late autumn, winter and early spring, due to the clay soil.
“Tan y Llan is in a flood risk area and this development will further impact on that flooding.”
Architect Richard Lewis, of building design and planning consultancy Hughes Architects spoke in favour of the application: “This development is a natural extension of the existing ribbon of developments on the road that connects Tregynon with Bwlch y Ffridd.
“Since the application was submitted in February 2018 careful consideration has been given to the comments received from the local community.
“Many concerns that were raised last year, the number of dwelling and the surface water drainage have been responded to.”
Mr Lewis added that a pond to help the drainage situation had been included in another nearby development which is linked to this application.
Planning officer, Dunya Fourie told councillors that the land drainage officer had commented on the application on 5 March.
The land drainage officer believed that a surface water drainage plan would need to be submitted before building work can start.
Cllr David Selby, said: “The issue of land drainage is quite important and I’m aware of the issues in the village.
“In this particular case we recognise there is a problem.
“But then we are asked for permission to approve and then delegate responsibility to sort out the land drainage issues afterwards.
“Surely the proposal in front of us should tackle the land drainage issues as part of the application? This seems to be the wrong way around.”
“As it’s at the top of the hill it’s bound to add to the issues at the bottom of the hill.”
Planning control manager Gwilym Davies said that an ideal application would have everything “submitted” and “very few conditions if any” added.
Mr Davies said: “The question we have to ask as planning professionals is do we need that information up front?
“If we do then and they (developers) don’t submit the information we would recommend refusal on insufficient information.”
Mr Davies added that the land drainage officer had said that the plan could be a stipulation of the planning consent.
Cllr Jon Williams moved to approve the application which was passed unanimously by councillors.
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
