We did not approve this (From Penarth Times)

We did not approve this

11:43am Thursday 21st March 2013 in Letters

DINAS Powys Community Councillors receive lots of comments about the architecture of the very modern houses that have been developed at Old Farm Mews, adjacent to the Star Inn in the village.

As a matter of procedure the application was sent by the Vale of Glamorgan to the community council planning committee for their observations.

That committee considered the plans and the objection sent to the Vale was “we re-iterate our previous objection that the design of the proposed housing is not suitable for a site within the Dinas Powys Conservation Area”, I then, as a ward member, ‘called it in’ to the Vale planning committee for a decision instead of it being decided under delegated powers by Vale planning officers.

When the application went before Vale committee, I called for a site visit which was attended by some of the members and officers. On that occasion members are able to see detailed plans prior to the evening’s meeting.

After the official site visit was closed an opportunity was given to local councillors to express their opinion as they were vehemently opposed to the very modern design of the buildings in a conservation area.

At the meeting of the planning committee I and Cllr Keith Hatton argued against the officers’ recommendation to allow the the application. Despite some support from other members the decision to approve was taken on a majority vote.

One of the arguments from officers was that ‘just because it is a conservation area there doesn’t have to be a ‘pastiche’ of what is already there.

So far, I personally have only met two people who like the development, and on a daily basis I, as chairman of the community council, am asked why it was allowed. As a result I just want to put on public record that it wasn’t the community council which recommended approval.

Cllr Val Hartrey Chairman Dinas Powys Community Council