Issue - meetings

The Officer introduced the report and pointed out that the plans had been revised as requested, the encroachment of the site into the countryside had been reduced and hedgerows had been added to screen the site.

Public Participation:

1.         Mr Wenn spoke in objection to the application

Councillor Christopher Newbury arrived at this point.

2.         Mrs Smith-Bendall spoke in support of the application

Councillor Julie Swabey, Unitary Member for Ethandune, raised concerns about the application.

Councillor Francis Morland, Unitary Member for Southwick (neighbouring Ward) raised concerns about the application.

The Committee discussed various issues including the lack of clarity of Governmental Guidance and Regulations with regards to Gypsies and Travelers’ planning applications.

The Committee then sought clarification from the Planning Officers on the conditions included in the report and discussed some further conditions to be included.

Resolved 

That planning permission be GRANTED

For the following reasons:

The proposed development conforms to the Development Plan and there are no objections to it on planning grounds.

Subject to the following conditions:

1     The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

       REASON:  To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2     The site shall not be permanently occupied by persons other than gypsies and travellers as defined in paragraph 15 of ODPM Circular 01/2006, or any other subsequent legislation or guidance which defines persons' gypsy or traveller status.

       REASON: Planning permission has only been granted on the basis of a demonstrated unmet need for accommodation for gypsies and travellers and it is therefore necessary to keep the site available to meet that need.

       West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 - POLICY: CF12

3     The occupation of the site hereby permitted shall be carried on only by Mr F Hughes, the applicant, and his resident dependants.

       REASON: Planning permission has only been granted on the basis of the personal circumstances and status of the applicant.

       West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 - POLICY: CF12

4     No more than 2 caravans, as defined in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and the Caravan Sites Act 1968, of which no more than 1 shall be a permanently stationed mobile home, shall be on the site at any time.

       REASON: In the interests of the visual amenity of the area.

       West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration (2004) POLICY CF12.

5     The development hereby permitted shall not be occupied or first brought into use until the area between the nearside carriageway edge and a line drawn 2.0 metres parallel thereto over the entire site frontage has been cleared of any obstruction to visibility at and above a height of 900mm above the nearside carriageway level. That area shall be maintained free of obstruction at all times thereafter.

       REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

       West Wiltshire District Plan 1st  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126