Agenda item

Public Participation

·         Dr Angus Murdoch, agent, spoke in support of the application.

·         Margaret Workman, representing West Ashton Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The Planning Officer introduced the report which recommended approval, and detailed how the application had been deferred from the last meeting to arrange a site visit, which had now taken place.  The planning application was for a change of use to provide a single private gypsy pitch to include the siting of a mobile home and touring caravan and hardstanding for the parking and turning of vehicles.

The exact location and details of the site in relation to West Ashton and the nearby crossroads were highlighted, and it was noted the site was served by a pavement from Yarnbrook and that Highways officers considered the visibility at the access acceptable.

It was also noted that as the Council had, in its view, permitted the legally required number of Gypsy and Traveller pitches, the application did not need to be considered in the light of urgent need, but only by criteria set out in council policies as detailed in the report, and which officers felt the application abided by.

The Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to address the Committee with their views, as detailed above.

The Local Member, Cllr Francis Morland, then spoke in objection to the application.  The Committee then considered the application and debating a number of issues, in particular, the highway safety at the site, to what extent the application would impact on the highways in the area, making the permission personal to the applicant and his mother and occupancy of the site.

Resolved:

That Planning Permission be granted for the following reason(s):

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

Subject to the following condition(s):

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 use hereby permitted shall be carried on only by Mr Willam Sherred (the applicant), his mother and his resident dependants and shall only be occupied by them whilst they meet the definition of gypsies and travellers as defined in Annex 1 to the Department for Communities and Local Government document ‘Planning Policy for Traveller sites’ published in March 2012.

REASON: The personal circumstances of the applicant and his mother have been a significant material consideration that has been taken into account in the decision to grant planning permission for this use on this site.

3 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 static caravan, shall be stationed on the site at any time.

REASON: In the interests of the amenity of the area and in order to define the terms of this permission. West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration (2004) POLICY CF12.

4 The use hereby permitted shall not be first commenced until works have been completed in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority for:

- Any entrance gates to be provided at the access shall be set back a minimum of 15m from the carriageway edge of Yarnbrook Road and shall open inwards only;

- The on-site provision of the space shown on the submitted plans for the parking and turning of vehicles; and

- the installation of an ACO drain, on or immediately adjacent to the highway boundary to avoid surface water entering the highway.

- The parking and turning facility, and visibility splays of 160 metres in either direction measured from a point 2.4 metres back from the carriageway edge at the centre of the access shall thereafter be retained.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 - POLICY: CF12

5 No commercial activities shall take place on the land, including the storage of materials.

REASON: In the interests of the amenity of the area and in the interests of highway safety. West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration (2004) POLICY CF12.

6 There shall be no occupation of any caravan, including a static caravan, on site until details of the works for the disposal of sewage have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and until the approved sewerage details have been fully implemented in accordance with the approved plans.

REASON: To ensure that the proposal is provided with a satisfactory means of drainage. West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration 2004 - POLICY: U1a

7 The development hereby permitted shall not be first occupied until the access up to the gates, has been consolidated and surfaced (not loose stone or gravel). The access shall be maintained as such thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety. West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration (2004) POLICY CF12.

8 No materials shall be burnt on site.

REASON: In order to minimise nuisance. West Wiltshire District Plan - 1st Alteration -POLICY: C38.

9 Notwithstanding the approved plans no caravan shall be occupied on the site until a detailed landscaping scheme has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This shall include details of existing and proposed planting, including the protection of existing hedgerows and woodland, any new boundary treatments and the surfacing materials to the hardstanding. The landscaping scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: In the interests of protecting the rural character of the area. West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration (2004): POLICY CF12.

10 The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on the following plans:

- Site Location Plan : Received on 25 July 2012; and

- Site Layout Plan : Received on 25 July 2012.

REASON : In order to define the terms of this permission.

Informative(s):

1 The applicant is advised to contact Wessex Water (01225 526000) with regard to connection to, and protection of, water infrastructure.