Agenda item

Site Visit: 11.30am – 11.40am

The Committee considered the report of the Business Manager – Planning Development, which sought the change of use of land to residential Gypsy/Traveller caravan site comprising six pitches each providing one static and one touring caravan and dayroom.

A site visit had taken place prior to the commencement of the Planning Committee, on the grounds that there were particular site factors which were significant in terms of the weight attached to them relative to other factors if they would be difficult to assess in the absence of a site inspection.

Members considered the presentation from the Director of Planning Growth, which included photographs and plans of the proposed development.

Ms W Mounsey, resident, spoke in support of the application.

Members considered the application, and it was commented that this site had not flooded during the last two major recent storms, which was contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency.  The site was well kept, the residents had lived on site with the existing noise environment for six years.  Members considered this a settled community and raised concern regarding where they would go if planning permission was not granted.  It was suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve planning permission, conditions could be applied to include residents (now and in the future) signing up for the Environment Agency early warning scheme and an evacuation plan be established.  There should be no expansion of the site further than the six plots and a red line be drawn on the plan around the site to prevent any further expansion.  It was commented that the site was noisy, however the residents had chosen to live on that site as do others in similar situations.  The children were in local schools and had flourished in a stable environment.

The Director of Planning Growth commented that if the Planning Committee were minded to approve the application, that conditions be reported to a future meeting for awareness.  The Council also had a duty to notify the Environment Agency if they went against Officer recommendations*.

*Following the Committee it has been clarified that the Council as the LPA only need notify the Environment Agency for major planning application where there was a resolution to grant consent contrary to their advice. There was therefore no requirement to notify the EA.

A vote was taken to refuse Planning Permission which was unanimously lost.

AGREED          (unanimously) that contrary to Officer recommendation Planning                         Permission be approved to allow permanent residency for a maximum                         of six plots, conditions regarding this be reported to a future                                  Planning Committee for approval.

In accordance with paragraph 13.5 of the Planning Protocol, as the motion was against Officer recommendation, a recorded vote was taken.

During the debate of this item, the Chair indicated that the meeting duration had expired therefore a motion was moved by the Chair and seconded by the Vice-Chair to continue the meeting.  A motion was voted on with one objection, to continue for a further hour.