Agenda item

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer which set out the main issues in respect of the application. 

The Committee then received a statement from Mr Matthew Green, agent, in support of the application.

On considering the report and on hearing the views of Cllr Peter Colmer, as local Member,

Resolved:

To delegate to the Area Development Manager the issuing of planning permission, subject to the expiration of the consultation period and no new substantive issues being raised and to the following conditions:-

(1)   The use hereby permitted shall be for a limited period being the period 2 years from the date of this decision. At the end of this period the use hereby permitted shall cease, all materials and equipment brought on to the premises in connection with the use shall be removed, and the land restored to its former condition, or such condition as may be authorised by any other extant planning permission.

Reason: The provision of potential sites are being considered in the emerging Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations DPD.  A permanent permission in advance of this process would be premature and a temporary permission in this instance would accord with advice contained in Circular 01/2006 “Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites”.

(2)    Within 3 months of this permission, a flood evacuation plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority in conjunction with other relevant bodies.

Reason: In order to ensure a safe, dry access to and from the development in the event of flooding.

(3)    Within three months of this permission, 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.

(4)    Within three months of the date of this permission a scheme of hard and soft landscaping has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, the details of which shall include:

(a) indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land;

(b) details of any to be retained, together with measures for their  protection in the course of development;

(c) all species, planting sizes and planting densities, spread of all trees and hedgerows within or overhanging the site, in relation to the proposed buildings, roads, and other works;

(d) finished levels and contours;

(e) painted finish to close boarded fence atop the bund.

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

POLICY C3 NE15 H9

(5) All soft landscaping comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season prior to the completion of the development;  All shrubs, trees and hedge planting shall be maintained free from weeds and shall be protected from damage by vermin and stock. Any trees or plants which, within a period of five years, die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.  All hard landscaping shall also be carried out in accordance with the approved details prior to the occupation of any part of the development or in accordance with a programme to be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

POLICY-C3, NE15

(6)       Within three months of the date of this permission, details of a surface water drainage scheme for the site, based on sustainable drainage principles and include an assessment of the hydrological and hydro-geological context of the development, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. 

The scheme shall also include:

-          Details of how the scheme will contain the 1 in 100 year storm (with a 30% allowance for climate change) whole limiting discharge from the site to Greenfield run-off rates (including supporting calculations);

-          A detailed plan of the drainage system; and

-          Details of how the scheme shall be maintained and managed after completion

The scheme shall subsequently be implemented in accordance with the details approved before the development is completed.

REASON: To prevent the increased risk of flooding, to improve and protect water quality, improve habitat and amenity, and ensure future maintenance of the surface water drainage system.

Policy C3

(7)   No commercial or industrial activities shall take place on the land including the storage of materials unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

REASON: In the interests of residential and visual amenity.

REASON

The site outside a settlement could be acceptable under adopted policies. The site is not unacceptably harmful in its countryside location but is not wholly sustainable in terms of its access to services and amenities having regard to the emerging Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations DPD. The proposal is, therefore, unacceptable at this juncture.  In accordance with paragraphs 45 and 46 of Circular 01/2006 “Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites, on the basis of the emerging DPD it is entirely appropriate for a temporary permission to be granted to allow for the DPD process to take place and a permanent permission to be granted on an allocated site(s) when such a site(s) becomes available.