Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Satchwell, Howard, Crellin and Lowe.

To approve the minutes of the Site Viewing Working Party held on 11 October 2018

The minutes of the meeting of the Site Viewing Working Party held on 11 October 2018 were agreed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

Proposal:       Change of use of the site to a mixed use comprising private equestrian yard and siting of additional 1No mobile home to enable a total of 2No mobile homes on site for private gypsy and traveller site. Provision of a further 2 additional car parking spaces to allow a total of 4 car parking spaces on site and retention of touring caravan space.

The site was viewed as the application was contrary to the provisions of the adopted development plan. In addition, this application had been referred to the Development Management Committee by a Ward Councillor.

The Working Party received a written report by the Head of Planning, which identified the following key considerations:

(i)            Principle of development – including whether the resident of the site is a gypsy for the purposes of planning policy;

(ii)          What is the existing level of local provision for gypsies and travellers and the identified need for permanent sites;

(iii)         Whether there is alternative accommodation available;

(iv)         The personal circumstances of the applicant but not whether they have local connections;

(v)          Whether this is an effective use of previously developed (brownfield), untidy or derelict land;

(vi)         Whether the site is suitable for the proposed use by virtue of any previous contamination;

(vii)        Impact upon the character and appearance of the area;

(viii)       Effect on the existing settled communities;

(ix)         Sustainability;

(x)          Impact upon residential amenity;

(xi)         Highway considerations;

(xii)        Ecological considerations;

(xiii)       Drainage;

(xiv)      Other matters; and

(xv)       Human rights.

The Working Party viewed the site, the subject of the application, to assess whether there were any additional matters that should be considered by the Development Management Committee.

RESOLVED that, based on the site inspection and information available at the time, the following additional information be provided to the Development Management Committee:

a)    Confirmation on the ownership of the grass verge on Long Copse Lane to the south of the application site, and therefore where any landscaping may be placed.