Agenda item

Public Participation

Mr Richard Neale spoke in support of the application.

The Planning Officer introduced the report which recommended that planning permission be REFUSED. Attention was drawn to a typographical error in the report on page 40 of the agenda and it was confirmed that the second paragraph of the Conclusion should read:

‘Concerns raised at the refusal of the previous application, in respect of inadequacy of access to the site, have been not been withdrawn by the Highways Officer in acknowledgement of the improvement works that have been undertaken to the verge to the northeast of Gibb Cottages. However, the location of the site for these purposes remains inherently unsustainable, and this is a relevant consideration.’

It was explained that this was a retrospective application, and a previous application had been refused in 2008. The property is sited outside the village boundary, and Wiltshire Council’s policy was to direct holiday lets to villages. Access to the site was a concern due to poor visibility.

There were no technical questions asked.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to address the Committee as detailed above.

The Local Member, Councillor Jane Scott, who was represented by Councillor John Thomson, spoke in support of the application.

A debate ensued during which concerns over road safety were discussed and whether the change of use would result in more vehicles compared to the existing permitted business use. It was noted that bed and breakfast could be offered from their house with no permission needed, and that there was an existing bed and breakfast facility using the access road.

At the end of the debate it was:

RESOLVED:

To APPROVE Planning Permission for the following reason:

The proposed change of use by reason of its scale and location in close proximity to the tourist attraction of Castle Combe and its associated facilities is considered to be a benefit to the local economy and would not be detrimental to any residential amenities or highway safety.  The proposal thus accords with Policies C3, NE4 and NE15 of the adopted North Wiltshire Local Plan; Policy RLT9 of the adopted Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan; and Core Policy 39 of the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy.

Subject to the following conditions:

1. Notwithstanding the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 and the Use Classes (Amendment) Order 2005 (or any Order revoking and re-enacting those Orders, with or without modification), the accommodation hereby permitted shall be used for holiday accommodation only and for no other purpose.

REASON: This site is in a position where the Local Planning Authority, having regard to the reasonable standards of residential amenity, access, and planning policies pertaining to the area, would not permit permanent residential accommodation.

2. The owners/ operators of the site shall maintain an up-to-date register of the names of all owners/occupiers of individual caravans/log cabins/chalets on the site, and of their main home addresses, and shall make this information available at all reasonable times to the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: This site is in a position where the Local Planning Authority, having regard to the reasonable standards of residential amenity, access, and planning policies pertaining to the area, would not permit permanent residential accommodation.

3.    The accommodation hereby permitted shall not be occupied as a persons’ sole or main place or residence.

REASON: This site is in a position where the Local Planning Authority, having regard to the reasonable standards of residential amenity, access, and planning policies pertaining to the area, would not permit permanent residential accommodation.

4.    The development hereby permitted shall be implemented in accordance with the submitted plans and documents listed below. No variation from the approved plans should be made without the prior approval of the local planning authority. Amendments may require the submission of a further application.

2367/01 – Plans and elevations as built

2367/02 – First floor as built

Design and Access Statement

Received 3 September 2012

REASON: To ensure that the development is implemented as approved.