Planning permission set for affordable homes

A site in Ebbw Vale could soon be transformed into an affordable housing development, with the scheme recommended to be granted planning permission.Land at the former Glanyrafon Court and adjacent grounds on Allotment Road has been earmarked for 14 affordable units by applicant Tai Calon Community Housing.Proposed is four two-bed houses, four three-bedded houses, four one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroomed bungalows.The central part of the site comprises of brownfield land which previously accommodated the former sheltered housing complex at Glanyrafon Court.In January 2022, planning permission was refused for 15 affordable housing units on the site contrary to officer recommendation, due to the “loss of valuable amenity space”.In a bid to overcome the reason for refusal the site has now been reduced in size from approximately 135m long to 75m and a reduction in area from about two acres to 1.2 acres. The majority of the grassland amenity area to the south-east has now been omitted from the scheme and the site now predominantly comprises brownfield land.An officer’s report for Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s planning committee on 7 September said: “In summary, I am of the view that, on balance, the proposed residential development is acceptable in land use terms and would not have a detrimental impact on residential amenity, local biodiversity or the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”Moreover, the proposal is considered acceptable in terms of vehicular and pedestrian access and car parking provision.”