Opposition to plan for village’s old gospel hall
A FORMER gospel hall in Taff’s Well will be demolished and turned into an office and a flat.
Rhondda Cynon Taf ’s planning committee approved the plans for the new two-storey building on Cardiff Road, Glan-y-Llyn which will replace the gospel hall which has been vacant since January 2017.
Officers recommended the application for approval because they do not feel it is out of character and don’t feel there will be any significant impact on neighbours.
The applicant Anthony Bond said he runs a small energy management company which has been in Taff ’s Well since 1996 but has outgrown its current premises.
They employ three engineers, two directors and a part time worker.
Mr Bond said the new building does not overshadow other buildings and that he has spoken with neighbours who said they had no problem with the application.
But Nathan Meredith, who lives in the area, is one of 33 objectors to the application.
He said: “I have not had any consultation on the proposal whatsoever.
“We are behind development of the site. It is an eyesore but we would see a residential unit.
“The double storey would be out of place.”
“It is significantly bigger than what is already there.”
Mr Meredith highlighted his concerns about the potential for overlooking, parking problems and the creation of more traffic.
“I am really concerned there will be a serious accident,” he said. extension
“We need a redevelopment that makes sense.”
But Mr Bond said: “I don’t think we will add any more difficulty to the traffic arrangements in the area.
“We have been here for more than 20 years and had no trouble with neighbours.
“We use all the facilities in Taff’s Well and we wouldn’t want to move away from Taff’s Well.”
Councillor Jill Bonetto who represents Taff’s Well ward on the council, said: “It is not an ideal development but the building isn’t an attractive building.
“There are always issues with parking in Taff’s Well. There always has been and we are going to have them for quite a while.
“I sympathise with residents; however, I don’t feel that I can go against officers’ recommendations. It meets the parking requirements.”