Backlash fear over 'mansion' approval
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."
21 Comments
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by Carol, Gower
Thursday, December 04 2008, 1:02AM
“¿Martin Morgan's Mansion¿ is just the tip of the iceberg. Money most certainly talks, he is not the first wealthy person who has found no problem in achieving planning to build a mansion or extend small crofters cottages into Dallas style mansions. However, if you need a granny annexe for a elderly disabled parent or, if you are a farmer and find it necessary to erect an agricultural building, be prepared to do battle (at great expense) with planners nit picking, putting the applicant through as many hoops that would put a hoopla stall to shame, that¿s if your lucky enough to get your application approved. Needless to say a mansion for a millionaire is far more important. It just goes to show it is not What you know but... Who you know.”
by DJ, Swansea
Wednesday, November 19 2008, 6:43PM
“Why do all these people sound surprised? This is Swansea council we're talking about!”
by sue, gower
Wednesday, November 19 2008, 5:51PM
“I'm with Jan on this. Those of us living here cannot get planning permission to build for our families to carry on living here unless we build in our small gardens.”
by Paddy Fields, Swansea
Wednesday, November 19 2008, 5:40PM
“Councillor Lewis and all other Councillors are made aware in writing of all planning applications being dealt with under delegated powers.
As the application was in Councilor Lewises ward it was he who should have called the aplication in under councillors protocol wherby its in his ward so he deals with it.
Councillor Lweis and every other Councillor on Area 2 planning committee would have been made aware of this planning application.
The other point is Mr Morgan would not have gone to the trouble of making the application if he did not think he would get permission which is again a worry.
We should ge back to not having delegated powers then every application would have to before committee.
Delegated powers were supposed to speed up applications not heklp them " slip under the wire ".”
by John Richards, Mumbles
Wednesday, November 19 2008, 5:28PM
“Why does'nt this suprise me,we made a planning application a while go to improve our home,the planners were happy with it and councillors turned it down,it just not fare!!!!!”
by Phil, Swansea
Wednesday, November 19 2008, 4:59PM
“Just a quick comment, the planners recommend an application for approval to refusal. It's up to the Council Members to either agree or disagree with the Planners recommendations. So if the Planner says Approve a development the Council members can either go along with that or Refuse planning permission and vice versa (Planners say Refuse Council Members say Approve). It's the Council Members like John Hague that have the final say on aplications not the Planners, but then the Planners are all quaified planning civil cervants where as John Hague is the chairman of Bonymaen rugby club”
by Sue, Plasmarl
Wednesday, November 19 2008, 4:43PM
“I think that with Swansea Council money talks more than anyone else.”
by Clive, Swansea
Wednesday, November 19 2008, 4:31PM
“This decision is appalling. If this site has 'fabulous' views of Three Cliffs etc. - presumably this tasteless monstrosity will be visible from the beaches.
Money evidently talks.....
What a Council ! The last Chief Executive turns his garage into a luxury semi, and now this....
What are the standards committee doing ? Why has this millionaire been given privileged treatment?”
by Steven, Gower
Wednesday, November 19 2008, 4:29PM
“This is not the first time questions have been asked about Councillor Richard Lewis conduct,Why is someone like this a councillor.He needs to go !!!!!!”
by Ryan, Manchester
Wednesday, November 19 2008, 3:03PM
“This is all very common of Swansea, it's laughable really. When I lived in Swansea for the best part of my life I always thought the rumours about this sort of thing were false. But I have lived now in two developing major cities where everything is so transparent in terms of developments etc that I know the rumours are true.
Of course I'm in no position to back anything up with this 'co-venture', but I think we know in our heart of hearts there is something untoward going on.
The statement from Bob about Gower people in completely false. But this being published is probably the Planning Departments worst nightmare.
This is why the great city of Swansea will never compete with other already emerged cities across England and probably even Cardiff.”