Agenda item

Public Speakers

Louise Cooper spoke in support of the application

Joanna Rees-Bains spoke in support of the application

The Senior Planning Officer, Warren Simmons introduced the report, which recommended that the application for the replacement of existing structures be approved subject to conditions as listed in the report.

Attention was drawn to the confidential correspondence circulated to Members prior to the meeting and the site visit that had taken place earlier that day.

The site was recognised as a Gypsy and Traveller (G&T) site of 2.6 hectares which was extensively screened by mature trees. Material considerations to be considered were supported by the confidential medical documents.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the Officer. It was clarified that the Enforcement Team had confirmed there were no outstanding on this site.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their view to the Committee as detailed above.

The Unitary Division Member, Cllr Chris Devine then spoke in support of the application, noting that he had originally called in the application, prior to the last Committee meeting, where it had been for consideration as the Officers recommendation then had been for refusal. Further information was needed which is why it was deferred. The application had now come back with an Officer’s recommendation of approval. He added that all the surrounding neighbours were in support of the application.

Cllr Devine then moved Officer’s recommendation of Approval subject to the conditions as detailed in the report. This was seconded by Cllr McLennan.

A debate followed where key issues raised included, that this site was well kept and maintained by the applicants.

A detailed explanation of medical concerns had been provided, along with two letters of support from doctors which addressed the relevant medical issues, including specific references to the intended occupier of the bungalow.

The site had been occupied for over 60 years. One of the conditions applied to the recommendation included the restriction of occupancy of the bungalow to those with G&T origin. This would restrict who could live in the bungalow in the future.

The Committee voted on the motion of Approval, subject to conditions.

Resolved

That planning permission be approved in line with Officer’s recommendation, with 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 development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

Drawing number DJB/SW/01 (undated), as deposited with the local planning authority on 21.04.17, and

Drawing number 70383297-69608 (dated Jan 2017), as deposited with the local planning authority on 14.03.17, and

Drawing reference ‘Proposed bungalow’ (floorplans and elevations) (undated), as deposited with the local planning authority on 21.04.17.

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England)Order 2015  (or any Order revoking or re-enacting or amending those Orders with or without modification), no development within Part 1, Classes A-E (inclusive) shall take place on the dwellinghouse hereby permitted or within the curtilage.

REASON:  In the interests of the amenity of the area and to enable the Local Planning Authority to consider individually whether planning permission should be granted for additions, extensions or enlargements.

4. The development for which planning consent is hereby granted shall not be permanently occupied by persons other than gypsies and travellers as defined in Annex 1 of Planning policy for traveller sites (DCLG, 2012).

REASON: Planning permission has only been granted on the basis of the intended occupiers’ specific and demonstrated personal medical and family circumstances. It is considered thereby that the normal planning policy requirements (which would otherwise lead to a refusal of the proposed development) should not apply in this case. Should the approved development (at a future time) be no longer needed for the intended occupier(s), the accommodation should remain available to provide accommodation to meet the need for accommodation for gypsies and travellers to avoid a net loss of such accommodation in the local area.