In 2006 the application for a Morrison store at the former Brown Lenox site in Pontypridd was called in by the Assembly.

http://www.assemblywales.org/N0000000000000000000000000045396.pdf

The reasons given were:
"The proposed development raises planning issues of more than local importance. In particular, it raises issues which may be in conflict with national policy."
The report stated that
"On the information available at the time of making the direction, the following were the matters on which the Assembly particularly wished to be informed for the purpose of their consideration of the application:
(i) The visual and environmental implications of the proposed development on the site and
surrounding areas.
(ii) The relevant national policies as set out in Planning Policy Wales (March 2002)
particularly those relating to retail development and Technical Advice Note (TAN) 4 -
Retailing and Town Centres;
(iii) Policies in the Mid Glamorgan (Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough) Replacement
Structure Plan and the Rhondda Cynon Taff (Taff Ely) Local Plan.
The Local Authority had granted permission for the store and there was much local disappointment when it did not go ahead. Some years later permission was granted for a Sainsbury's store on the same site - that was not subject to a call in.
Now we have a proposal for a massive new town centre in Talbot Green which will have undoubted effects on existing retail centres as well as potentially causing more traffic congestion in the area. Why hasn't it been called in? The planning report states it will cause a loss of trade in other town centres. It is bigger than that allowed for in the Local Development Plan, and is certainly of more than local interest.
The application

http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/en/councildemocracy/democracyelections/councill...

Will be decided by the Planning Committee at RCT on Thursday 28th February. The Officer's recommendation is to approve it. We await the outcome with interest
Karen Roberts