Ian Davies, Development Manager with City and County of Swansea’s Planning Department is attending the Community Council meeting tonight, June 13th 2023. Questions we have posed are shown below.
Planning criteria, assessment of planning applications and how RCC can better work with the Planning Department
Rhossili Community Council comprises many new councillors. We have undertaken training recently to better understand the planning system. We currently feel our comments and contributions to planning applications are ineffective in influencing decisions. Many in our community have told us that they have lost trust in the planning process. We are keen to understand how we might increase our effectiveness and work better with the planning department.
- What criteria does the CCS planning dept use to assess applications in Rhossili, (and if different within AONB) and are these criteria publicly available?
- How frequently are these reviewed to reflect changing requirements and legislation?
- What weighting is given to RCC and community comments and is there a numerical threshold above which greater credence is given to the body of opinion (positive or negative)?
- To what extent might potential cost of legal challenges impact on decisions to approve plans/approve plans on appeal?
- How might Rhossili Community Council better work together with the planning department in local government planning processes?
Community Resilience
There is a lack of rental accommodation in Rhossili and very little affordable housing stock for purchase. Many smaller houses which could have been affordable for local people and young families moving into the village, have been developed into larger properties often for holiday rental or as second homes which reduces the housing stock accessible to local people. Over time this will impact the viability of Knelston School, health services, transport and other important infrastructure, as well as the fabric of the community itself. Community-based services such as coast and sea rescue, caring for the elderly and the survival of local democracy in the shape of community councils are all at risk.
Local businesses (including tourism) and farms which require seasonal workers are also at risk, because accommodation is very difficult to provide due to planning restrictions.
- What are CCS’s projections for housing development on Gower to meet forecasted need and demand?
- What is CCS’s strategy for affordable housing in rural areas such as ours?
- Conversions of farm buildings/garages and non-domestic properties can be converted into holiday rentals. Could these developments also be used for permanent dwellings?
- Could the restrictions on occupancy of chalets and static caravans and some holiday accommodation be lifted to provide all round accommodation?
- Could first time buyers and shared ownership properties be available on chalet and static caravan sites?
- How can we reach a balance between the needs and priorities of the local community in sustaining its viability and resilience, and property enterprise and tourism?
Questions about how planning fits with, and implements WG/local policy
- How does CCS Planning link to Welsh government policies such as wellbeing and environment and provision of affordable and social housing in rural areas?
- Are issues such as destruction of biodiversity, considered when evaluating a planning application? Are there requirements for developers to offset this potential damage?
- How do you anticipate the Swansea Public Services Board Local Well-being Plan 2023-28 might influence planning decisions from now on?
