Council plans to redevelop a former care home in the Rhondda into accommodation for people with learning disabilities have been approved. The application from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council for the redevelopment of the Bronllwyn care home on Colwyn Road in Gelli was approved by the planning committee on Thursday, April 20.
To accommodate the proposed development the application will see the demolition of the existing buildings at the site as well as landscaping, sustainable drainage, access, parking and associated works carried out. The development will be spread over three floors made up of 13 en suite bedrooms and one respite bedroom.
A large courtyard and garden will be included to the west of the building which the report said would provide residents and staff an area of outside amenity space. The development will use the existing access for vehicles from Colwyn Road and Smith Street with the main parking located to the north of the building and an additional parking area made up of two spaces located to the east.
Read more: Lola James' murderer Kyle Bevan given minimum jail term of 28 years
The planning report said that the site was located in Colwyn Road towards the southern part of Gelli and measured approximately 0.297 hectares. The former care home for the elderly was first built in 1972 and includes three separate linked blocks. The report added that tenants at the care home left on a phased basis over recent months before the submission of the application.
There was one letter of objection which raised concerns over the potential inconvenience to existing residents through disruption during construction. It said parking was already an issue and claimed the new care home would cause friction between residents and non-resident vehicle owners, adding that Llanfair Hill was a bus route which needed to be kept clear.
They claimed the proximity to the primary school would result in traffic safety issues for children. But planning officers recommended the scheme for approval, saying: “The site offers an opportunity for a tailored scheme to meet local needs and will aid in addressing the known care home shortfall in the county borough.
“The proposal would be developed on a brownfield site, within the defined settlement limits of Gelli and is considered acceptable in term of the requirements of planning policy and all relating material planning considerations.” They later added that “the development proposed would not have a significantly detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area, the residential amenity of those living closest to the site, highway safety or ecological value of the area.”
To get the latest email updates from WalesOnline click here https://www.walesonline.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/
READ NEXT:
Incredible pictures as Northern Lights appear in parts of Wales
The protest planned in Cardiff for the day of King Charles' coronation
Find out about planning applications where you live
