Agenda item

Public participation

Ms E Cole spoke in objection to the application

Mr G Watt spoke in objection to the application

Mr P Jenks spoke in objection to the application

Mrs E Hartford representing Alderbury Parish Council spoke in objection to the application

The Planning Officer introduced the report, which was recommended for approval, and drew attention to the late correspondence.

During the ensuing debate issues of the impact of neighbouring listed buildings and emerging legislation were discussed.

The Chairman requested that a report on site selection methodology and a report on enforcement action in respect of this site be brought to the next meeting.

Resolved:

To refuse the application for the following reasons

1.        The application site lies within the countryside where new residential development is strictly controlled.  Emerging government policy set out in the DCLG consultation document “Planning for Travellers Sites” seeks fair play with everyone being treated equally and even-handedly through consistent application of policy on housing provision for both the travelling and settled communities.  The local planning authority applies considerable weight to this emerging policy, particularly in view of the statement in the Ministerial foreword that “... the current planning policy for traveller sites does not work”.  The proposal, to permanently station residential mobile homes on the site, would not achieve consistency with housing policy in the countryside, and consequently conflicts with the emerging policy.    

2.        Notwithstanding reason for refusal no. 1, the application site lies within a sensitive countryside location comprising open land and woodland, and scattered residential properties.  The importance of the landscape within the area is recognised by its inclusion within the Landscape Setting of Salisbury policy area where new development is strictly controlled to ensure there is no detriment to the visual quality of the landscape.  To the immediate south-east side of the site is a grade I listed residential property (St Maries Grange) and to its north-west side a grade II listed residential property (Belmont House); both properties are set in extensive parkland gardens which positively contribute to the countryside character of the area; and the natural and un-cluttered landscape which surrounds these properties equally contributes to their grand country house status and historic significance.  To the south-west side of the site is a flood plain of the River Avon, designated as an Area of High Ecological Value; the River Avon itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

The proposed development, by reason of the relatively intensive nature of the use and the resulting appearance and spread of the various mobile structures, buildings and engineering works and by reason of the inevitable associated activity and domestic paraphernalia, would be inappropriate in, and uncharacteristic of, this particularly sensitive countryside area as described.  In addition, the proposed development, again by reason of the appearance and spread of the various mobile structures, buildings and engineering works, would not preserve the setting or outlook of the adjacent grade I listed house (St Maries Grange) in particular.

The local planning authority recognises that there is a need for accommodation consistent with gypsies nomadic lifestyle.  However, the sensitivities of this particular site make it unsuitable as a gypsy site in view of the demonstrated overriding environmental objections.  The proposal is, therefore, contrary to Policies H34 (Gypsy Sites), G1 (General Principles for Development), G2 (General Criteria for Development), C2 (Rural Environment), C7 (Landscape Setting of Salisbury), CN3 (Listed Buildings) and CN5 (Listed Buildings) of the Salisbury District Local Plan 2003, and the aims and objectives of PPS5 (Planning for the Historic Environment).