Agenda item

Public Participation

Mervyn Dobson spoke in objection to the retention of the permitted development rights on the site.

Judie Boyt spoke in objection to the retention of the permitted development rights on the site.

Johnny Cayford spoke in objection to the retention of the permitted development rights on the site.

Tim Truman spoke in support of the retention of the permitted development rights on the site.

Adrian Harris spoke in support of the retention of the permitted development rights on the site.

Councillor Chris Saunders, Chairman of Easterton Parish Council, spoke in objection to the retention of the permitted development rights on the site.

Councillor Peter Balls OBE, Chairman of Potterne Parish Council, spoke in objection to the retention of the permitted development rights on the site.

Councillor Bill Donald, Urchfont Parish Council spoke in objection to the retention of the permitted development rights on the site.

Andrew Guest, Major Projects and Performance Manager, presented a report which recommended the making of a ‘non-immediate’ Direction under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (as amended) to remove ‘permitted development’ rights for the land at Crookwood Farm. The effect of an Article 4 Direction would remove the permitted development right to hold motor car and motocycle racing events on the land without planning permission, as was currently permissible for 14 days per year.

The background to the consideration of making the Article 4 Direction was detailed, including the events that had taken place on the site and the raising of concerns over noise, traffic, access and the impact on bridleways. It was confirmed that a planning application to retain motocross jumps on the site had been withdrawn. The requirements under which an Article 4 Direction could be made were detailed, along with explanation that an order could be immediate or non-immediate. The report recommended a non-immediate order, which would require additional consultation and permit the events planned for 2018 to proceed, with a lesser risk of compensation to be offered.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought on liability in the event accidents took place on the site, and clarification of the processes for both immediate and non-immediate orders.

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

The local Unitary Division Member, Councillor Philip Whitehead, then spoke in objection to the retention of permitted development rights on the site. He supported the making of an immediate Article 4 Direction in order to address the serious concerns raised by the current activities on the site.

A debate followed, where the history of the site in its current use was further raised, along with confirming that any Direction would cover the entire farm area, so that any activity could not be moved into another field should a Direction be made. The positive health and social benefits of the activity were debated, but the majority of councillors considered the negative impacts from noise, traffic impact, environmental concerns and more indicated the site was inappropriate for the current use, and that the problems were sufficiently serious to warrant immediate action, particularly as the potential for such a direction had been raised across a long period.

At the beginning of the debate a motion was moved by Councillor Stuart Dobson, seconded by Councillor Chris Williams, to authorise an immediate Direction under Article 4. The reasons for an immediate Direction rather than a non-immediate Direction were given as follows:

·         In view of the unsuccessful attempts to obtain a meaningful events management plan to ensure the safety of all users of the highways hereabouts, including emergency services, and to safeguard the amenities of nearby residents from noise and general disturbance.

·         In view of the immediate impact of the events themselves on local amenity and the well-being of the area in terms of the traffic generation and the resulting implications for highway safety, and in view of the general disturbance caused by noise in an otherwise tranquil location.  

At the conclusion of discussion, it was,

Resolved:

That the Head of Development Management be authorised to make an immediate Direction under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended), to remove ‘permitted development’ rights under Part 4, Class B of Schedule 2 with all necessary public consultation.