Town centre plans get more time
DELAYED plans for a “new town centre” in Talbot Green have been given another two years to come to fruition.
The proposed development on land east of Cowbridge Road and near the A473 has been given another couple of years by the council’s planning committee.
Talbot Green Developments Limited was granted a variation of condition which allows it another two years to submit further details despite the application being approved in 2014.
The development is made up of two phases with the first being the building of a Sainsbury’s supermarket and an eight-pump petrol station.
The second is the rest of the development which is made up of shops including a new Leekes store, a cafe, food and drink outlets, 64 flats and houses, offices, a cinema, a hotel, and parking for more than 2,000 cars.
In April 2018, Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s planning and development committee held a meeting to check on progress. In its report it found a lack of communication had hindered progress.
It found that despite a draft agreement being drawn up after permission had been granted, and Sainsbury’s agreeing to it, solicitors acting on behalf of Talbot Green Developments Limited advised they had no instructions from their client.
However, the council recommended this latest application be approved subject to a section 106 agreement to deliver the planning obligations that haven’t yet been delivered, as well as an employment and skills plan.
In the report, planning officers said the principle of the development has been approved and was included in the Local Development Plan (LDP).
They recognise changes in national planning policy since planning permission was granted but they don’t think this raiss issues that would justify a considerable shift in the overall assessment of the scheme that would result in a different view of the development.
But the director of Leekes on Cowbridge Road voiced his frustration at the delay to the development at the planning meeting.
He said the scheme was not deliverable, adding that extending consent merely kicks the can down the road.
In the objection, planning agent Geraint John Planning, on behalf of Leekes, said there has been a fundamental change in circumstances since the granting of planning permission around whether the development (especially phase two) can be delivered in the manner shown.
Leekes is said to be supportive of the scheme but has no established position or agreement with Talbot Green Developments Limited in respect of the sale of its premises and/or participation in any “replacement” store and scheme.
The letter adds that the omission of the Leekes land from the scheme would result in the need for substantial revisions to the scheme as it is critical to the whole access arrangement.
It says a new/replacement Leekes store is an essential anchor for the development and accordingly lack of support from and participation by Leekes means the development of the scheme in no longer viable or achievable.
The letter says the inability to deliver the access road should result in the need for a fresh standalone application for a new scheme and, as the scheme is not deliverable, a grant of permission would lead to economic uncertainty.
Councillor Gareth Caple said: “It’s a bit like Brexit in that the can has been kicked down the road. But it’s a significant opportunity for economic regeneration.”
Councillor Gareth Wyn Hughes suggested they give the applicant Talbot Green Developments Limited a year to submit reserved matters but the planning officer said he did not think this would be achievable.
The committee voted in favour of two years to submit reserved matters, which include the appearance, layout, scale and landscaping of the development, and three years to start work.