A housing association has been refused planning permission for 'unacceptable' car park weeks after work had already started

A housing association has been refused planning permission for a car park weeks after work had already started. Bron Afon, a housing association based in Cwmbran, moved a digger and a lorry onto a grass verge at its Chapel Lane site in Croesyceiliog, covering the area in gravel two weeks ago.

Torfaen County Borough Council’s planning department wrote to the housing association with concerns the car park and the work already carried out could cause damage to trees as well as being a trip hazard for locals. Two weeks after starting the work, the housing association has now submitted an application for retrospective permission.

The council has so far refused to grant planning permission, determining the car park is a “visually poor and harmful form of development which is detrimental to the character and appearance of the area”. Four letters of objection were received by the council's planning department from residents as well as one letter in support.

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Complaints included the impact on trees, the previously green area children used to play on had been “turned into an eyesore”, and covering it in gravel is contrary to the council’s plans to boost biodiversity.

It was also reported that stones have spilled onto the pavement creating a trip hazard. Planning officer Caroline Pulley said: "As pointed out by residents, this has created a trip hazard which is detrimental to pedestrian safety. This is unacceptable."

She said while the principle of changing the use of the land could be acceptable, the work carried out for Bron Afon couldn’t be permitted and she said it had resulted “in a visually poor and harmful form of development which is detrimental to the character and appearance of the area". “The development, due to its poor construction and design, also has a detrimental impact on pedestrian safety," she said.

A tree survey has been submitted but Ms Pulley said the council hadn’t been provided with enough information to decide if the parking area “had or continues to have an adverse impact on the health of the trees”. She added: “These trees positively contribute to the amenity of the area and as such, their potential loss due to harm from the engineering operation and parking of cars would further negatively impact on the character and appearance of the area.”