South Wales Evening Post - 19 November 2008
Plans for a "Dallas-style" mansion in the heart of Gower slipped under the planning radar, it has been revealed.
Eyebrows have been raised after the controversial application, submitted by Swansea hotelier and businessman Martin Morgan, didn't make it to the council chamber for discussion.
The application slipped by Gower councillor Richard Lewis, who is proud of his record of challenging planning applications in the UK's first area of outstanding natural beauty.
Council planners approved the scheme to replace an old thatched farmhouse with a large, glass-fronted property in Penmaen under delegated planning powers, which allows officers to rule on applications.
Swansea Council environment cabinet member John Hague said Councillor Lewis was told of this decision so that he had a chance to call it in to area two development control committee — a committee he chairs — for discussion and decision.
But Councillor Lewis said he could not recall being told of the planners' decision, although he said he had seen the plans a while back.
A backlash is expected among residents and developers in Gower who have seen their applications for fairly minor schemes such as conservatories called in.
Once called in, councillors can approve or turn down those schemes, request further information, arrange site visits, or in some cases refer them to the council's full planning committee.
But this application, which had four objections, went through without any discussion. Councillor Lewis admitted it was a worry.
He said: "I did see these plans, they were for a large property. I regarded it as a Dallas-JR Ewing house.
"But I was under the impression that they were going to come before committee. I was waiting for this to happen. I have not seen a decision saying it was up for approval, and I wasn't informed of any objections."
Councillor John Hague, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "I was informed by the planning department that Councillor Lewis was aware of the planning application and the fact that officers intended to approve it under delegated powers, provided he did not request that it be reported to planning committee.
"Councillor Lewis had the opportunity to call in the application himself if he wished the application to be decided by the committee. In this case Councillor Lewis did not request the application be reported to committee."
The result is that the developer quite correctly went ahead with the new development, which is in the early part of construction.
Councillor Lewis said he only discovered what had happened about a week ago, months after the approval had been given.
"This one is a serious worry for me," he said. "If it had gone through committee, then there's no problem.
"But when other people see this one going through the hoop they'll say, 'Why didn't mine go through?' Everyone should get a fair crack of the whip."
He added: "Anywhere there are objections, or a petition, it should come before committee. Anything which is controversial I call in. I see it as a democratic process, which is paramount. This is a glaring example of what can go wrong, and I think the procedures need to be reviewed."
Councillors who serve on area two development control committee were surprised at what had happened. Councillor Des Thomas said: "I am surprised the local member (Richard Lewis) has not called it in, considering the number of call-ins he does carry out for some less imposing properties."
Gill Lewis, the director of Morgans Hotel, speaking on behalf of developer Martin Morgan, said: "I can confirm we adhered to the required procedures for submitting our application, including voluntarily providing the design to the Design Commission for Wales who strongly endorsed the plans."
Delegated powers explained
South Wales Evening Post - 19 November 1 2008
WHAT are delegated powers?
They are powers given to planning officers under the council's constitution.
Most planning applications are dealt with by planning officers to speed the decision-making process.
Applications are considered in the same detail as those reported to a development control committee, which is made up of councillors.
The application for the new house in Penmaen was approved by the head of planning, Bryan Graham, using delegated powers.
Applications can be "called in" to committee at any time before a decision, and ward councillors are advised of applications which have objections where approval is recommended.
A council spokesman backed the decision to approve the application under delegated powers.
He said the new house at Penmaen fell within national and local planning policy, adding: "This application was for a replacement dwelling and was carefully assessed against all material considerations.
"The original dwelling was fairly attractive, but in a very poor condition and was not of such quality or historic importance so as to merit listing and retention. No consent was therefore required for its demolition."
