Agenda item

Public Participation

Dr Allan Parker spoke in objection of the application.

Dr Sally Vamson spoke in objection of the application.

Mr Mark Slawson spoke in support of the application.

Mr Paul Oakley (Agent) spoke in support of the application.

Mr Mike Hopkins spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Ian Richardson spoke on behalf of Westwood Parish Council in objection of the application.

The Case Officer outlined the report which recommended the application for approval subject to conditions. The site description and an overview of the proposed development were also given. The site, which is in a Green Belt and conservation area, currently includes a Dutch barn, stable building and a shed with the proposal to demolish all three and replace with the erection of a new building to contain 2 units of holiday accommodation with access and parking. The planning history was provided noting that previous applications had been refused as the proposals were much larger and for residential use.

The Case Officer outlined the relevant planning policy which included:

West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration (2004)

The Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2026 – Car Parking Strategy

Some weight was also afforded to the Emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy, however as it was yet to be formally adopted by the Council, only limited weight could be given to the policy.

The Case Officer outlined the comments and objections received through consultation, as set out in the report. It was reported that letters of objection and of support had been received, as outlined in the report.

The Case Officer drew attention to the relevant planning considerations which were summarised as being the principle of the development, impact on the Green Belt/ Open Countryside, impact on the Conservation Area, impact on highway safety and PROW interests, impact on neighbours, impact on ecology and nature conservation, impact on archaeology and developer contributions.

Members were invited to ask technical questions of the site. The questions focused on if the development could be restricted to change the use of the development in the future and it was noted that a section 106 could restrict the change of use. It was also mentioned that other areas in the country, particularly costal regions, have restrictions on holiday letting for certain times of the year.

Members of the public were invited to speak on the application as listed above.

Members then entered debate which focused on: the benefits of adding a section 106 agreement, concerns around access and the lack of awareness visitors may have and the precedence the application would give on building on the Green Belt.

At the end of the debate, the Committee;

Resolved:

To Defer and delegate to the Area Development Manager to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions set out below, and subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 legal agreement to restrict the occupancy of the accommodation to holiday accommodation only.

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.   No development shall take place until samples/details of the materials to be used in the construction of all the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted (including the exact type and colour and manufacturer of the solar PV panels) have been made available to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

REASON:  To ensure that the development harmonises with its historic setting and protected surroundings.

3.   No building works pursuant to the construction of the holiday let accommodation shall commence until all three existing structures identified for demolition on the site have been permanently demolished and all the debris has been removed from the site/landholding.

REASON: In order to define the terms of this permission and to ensure the site is redeveloped in an appropriate manner respectful to the protected surroundings and neighbours.

4.   Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order), the holiday accommodation shall be occupied for holiday purposes only and no person/s shall occupy the holiday accommodation for a continuous period of more than 1 month in any calendar year and it shall not be re-occupied by the same person/s within 28 days following the end of that period.

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.

5.   Notwithstanding Class C3 of the Schedule to the Town and Country (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) (or any order which revokes and re-enacts that Order with or without modification), the accommodation hereby permitted shall be used to provide holiday accommodation only, which shall not be occupied as  permanent, unrestricted accommodation or as a primary place of residence.  In addition, an up to date register of names and main home addresses of all occupiers shall be maintained and shall be made 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.

6.   No part of the development hereby permitted shall be first brought into use until the access, turning area and parking spaces have been completed in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans. The areas shall be maintained for those purposes at all times thereafter.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

INFORMATIVE TO APPLICANT

7.     The applicant is requested to highlight to guests booking accommodation the need to drive with particular care through the village and when entering and leaving the access to the accommodation, due to the narrow road and restricted visibility.